Published October 9, 2019 | Version v1
Journal article Open

Brainstem Circuits Controlling Action Diversification

Description

Neuronal circuits that regulate movement are distributed throughout the nervous system. The brainstem is an important interface between upper motor centers involved in action planning and circuits in the spinal cord ultimately leading to execution of body movements. Here we focus on recent work using genetic and viral entry points to reveal the identity of functionally dedicated and frequently spatially intermingled brainstem populations essential for action diversification, a general principle conserved throughout evolution. Brainstem circuits with distinct organization and function control skilled forelimb behavior, orofacial movements, and locomotion. They convey regulatory parameters to motor output structures and collaborate in the construction of complex natural motor behaviors. Functionally tuned brainstem neurons for different actions serve as important integrators of synaptic inputs from upstream centers, including the basal ganglia and cortex, to regulate and modulate behavioral function in different contexts.

Files

Ruder and Arber ARN2019.pdf

Files (764.6 kB)

Name Size Download all
md5:0b71e152af934394be4ee075d078c2c3
764.6 kB Preview Download

Additional details

Related works

Is identical to
10.5451/unibas-ep71351 (DOI)
Is referenced by
31283898 (PMID)