Dissecting the neocortical output circuit responsible for motor control with genetic markers

2013 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24700344
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Neuroscience in general
• Research Institution: Institute of Physical and Chemical Research
• Principal Investigator: TSURUNO Shun 独立行政法人理化学研究所, 脳科学総合研究センター, 研究員 (80548991)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2014-03-31
• Keywords: 大脳皮質 / 神経回路 / 遺伝子マーカー

Research Abstract

From mammalian neocortex, subcerebral projection neurons (SCPNs) provide the major output. These neurons project to areas such as the spinal cord and the pons. We succeeded in mapping the source of inputs to SCPNs expressing a specific genetic marker using photostimulation techniques. In addition, we found that radially aligned SCPNs preferentially receive strong common inputs. These results will provide important basis for understanding the output of neocortex.