A study on neural circuits generating adaptive motor outputs

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26430004
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Neurophysiology / General neuroscience
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: KOHSAKA HIROSHI 東京大学, 大学院新領域創成科学研究科, 助教 (20431900)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 神経回路 / 運動制御 / オプトジェネティクス / コネクトミクス / ゲノミクス / 介在神経細胞

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Axial motion, which is generated by propagation of muscular contractions along the length of the body, is commonly seen in animal movements (e.g., swimming, crawling and multi-leg walking). Axial motion is regulated by neural circuits that include local circuits within each neuromere as well as intersegmental connections between them. Intersegmental connections are believed to be particularly important for the generation of coherent movements along the body axis. However, circuit mechanisms underlying intersegmental coordination are poorly understood. We use Drosophila larval crawling as a model to study axial locomotion. The behavior is generated by propagation of local muscle contractions from the posterior to anterior segments. We identified a class of local interneurons, termed period-positive median segmental interneurons (PMSIs) and pre-PMSI1,2 as key factors for larval locomotion.

Free Research Field

神経科学