Functional diversity for body actions in the mesencephalic locomotor region

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2021

Authors

Ferreira Pinto, MJ (Author) FMUP; Kanodia, H (Author) Other; Falasconi, A (Author) Other; Sigrist, M (Author) Other; Esposito, MS (Author) Other; Arber, S (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Cell

Vol. 184

Pages: 4564-+

ISSN: 0092-8674

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 46 Citations

Scopus - 48 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00V-ZSV

DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2021.07.002

Abstract (EN): The mesencephalic locomotor region (MLR) is a key midbrain center with roles in locomotion. Despite extensive studies and clinical trials aimed at therapy-resistant Parkinson's disease (PD), debate on its function remains. Here, we reveal the existence of functionally diverse neuronal populations with distinct roles in control of body movements. We identify two spatially intermingled glutamatergic populations separable by axonal projections, mouse genetics, neuronal activity profiles, and motor functions. Most spinally projecting MLR neurons encoded the full-body behavior rearing. Loss- and gain-of-function optogenetic perturbation experiments establish a function for these neurons in controlling body extension. In contrast, Rbp4-transgenepositive MLR neurons project in an ascending direction to basal ganglia, preferentially encode the forelimb behaviors handling and grooming, and exhibit a role in modulating movement. Thus, the MLR contains glutamatergic neuronal subpopulations stratified by projection target exhibiting roles in action control not restricted to locomotion.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 33