@article{47da2040f9dd442ab114dd530ee0a0c4,
title = "Modulation of motor behavior by the mesencephalic locomotor region",
abstract = "The mesencephalic locomotor region (MLR) serves as an interface between higher-order motor systems and lower motor neurons. The excitatory module of the MLR is composed of the pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) and the cuneiform nucleus (CnF), and their activation has been proposed to elicit different modalities of movement. However, how the differences in connectivity and physiological properties explain their contributions to motor activity is not well known. Here we report that CnF glutamatergic neurons are more electrophysiologically homogeneous than PPN neurons and have mostly short-range connectivity, whereas PPN glutamatergic neurons are heterogeneous and maintain long-range connections, most notably with the basal ganglia. Optogenetic activation of CnF neurons produces short-lasting muscle activation, driving involuntary motor activity. In contrast, PPN neuron activation produces long-lasting increases in muscle tone that reduce motor activity and disrupt gait. Our results highlight biophysical and functional attributes among MLR neurons that support their differential contribution to motor behavior.",
keywords = "connectivity, cuneiform, escape behavior, glutamatergic, heterogeneity, locomotion, movement preparation, muscle tone, pedunculopontine, posture",
author = "Daniel Dautan and Adrienn Kov{\'a}cs and Tsogbadrakh Bayasgalan and Diaz-Acevedo, {Miguel A.} and Balazs Pal and Juan Mena-Segovia",
note = "Funding Information: This research was supported by NIH grant NS100824 (to J.M.-S.), NJ-DOH grant CSCR20IRG008 (to J.M.-S.), a NARSAD Young Investigator Award (to J.M.-S.), the Hungarian National Brain Research Program (to B.P.), the OTKA Bridging Fund of the University of Debrecen (to B.P.), and Rutgers University . The authors are grateful to Dr. P{\'e}ter Sz{\"u}cs (Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Medical Faculty, University of Debrecen) for providing access and for his help in Neurolucida reconstructions and Prof. Mikl{\'o}s Antal (Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Medical Faculty, University of Debrecen) for providing VGLUT2-cre mice for breeding. The authors also thank Dr. Nadine Gut for comments on this manuscript. Funding Information: This research was supported by NIH grant NS100824 (to J.M.-S.), NJ-DOH grant CSCR20IRG008 (to J.M.-S.), a NARSAD Young Investigator Award (to J.M.-S.), the Hungarian National Brain Research Program (to B.P.), the OTKA Bridging Fund of the University of Debrecen (to B.P.), and Rutgers University. The authors are grateful to Dr. P?ter Sz?cs (Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Medical Faculty, University of Debrecen) for providing access and for his help in Neurolucida reconstructions and Prof. Mikl?s Antal (Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Medical Faculty, University of Debrecen) for providing VGLUT2-cre mice for breeding. The authors also thank Dr. Nadine Gut for comments on this manuscript. J.M.-S. and D.D. conceptualized the project. D.D. A.K. T.B. M.A.D.-A. and B.P. performed experiments. D.D. A.K. T.B. M.A.D.-A. and B.P. analyzed the data. D.D. M.A.D.-A. B.P. and J.M.-S. wrote the original draft. All authors contributed to reviewing and editing the final version of the manuscript. J.M.-S. supervised the project. The authors declare no competing interests. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2021 The Author(s)",
year = "2021",
month = aug,
day = "24",
doi = "10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109594",
language = "English (US)",
volume = "36",
journal = "Cell Reports",
issn = "2211-1247",
publisher = "Cell Press",
number = "8",
}