Decoding motor commands and sensory information encoded in cerebellar mossy fibers: investigation by simultaneous observation of multiple fibers.

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K06883
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 46010:Neuroscience-general-related
• Research Institution: University of Yamanashi
• Principal Investigator: Manita Satoshi 山梨大学, 大学院総合研究部, 准教授 (80584135)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 小脳 / カルシウムイメージング / 運動

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of this study is to characterize how motor commands and sensory information are represented in the mossy fibers of the cerebellum. In FY 2019, we examined whether cerebellar mossy fibers exhibit movement-related activity that express calcium sensors specifically in cerebellar mossy fibers (Thy1-G-CaMP7 mice). The results revealed that mossy fibers are synchronously active in structural units such as the V, VI, and VII lobes of the vermis and the simple lobule, crus I, and II of the hemisphere. The results also suggest that mossy fiber activity is correlated not only with forelimb and blinking but also with other locomotion and reward acquisition in mice. In FY2020, we improved and validated a mouse forelimb reaching and grasping movement system. In FY2021, the development of this device was summarized and published as a paper. These findings have enabled a detailed examination of cerebellar mossy fiber activity during reaching and grasping movements with the forelimb.

Free Research Field

神経科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究において、頭部固定下におけるマウスの前肢による到達把持運動システムを改良・開発した。この装置は大脳皮質や小脳における神経活動の観察と同時にマウスの前肢の運動を詳細に観察できる。そのため、より詳細に到達把持運動を実現させる神経メカニズムの解明に貢献できる。また、数ヶ月間にわたりマウスの運動を観察できるので、運動の習熟過程に関与する神経活動の解明も期待できる。