Diversified physiological sensory input connectivity questions the existence of distinct classes of spinal interneurons

iScience

Fredrik Bengtsson¹  Alois Knoll²  Alin Albu-Schäffer³  Philipp Stratmann⁴  Henrik Jörntell⁴  Florian Röhrbein⁴  Matthias Kohler⁴ 

[1] Corresponding author;German Aerospace Center, Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics, 82234 Weβling, Germany;Chemnitz University of Technology, Department of Computer Science, 09111 Chemnitz, Germany;Technical University of Munich, Department of Informatics, 85748 Garching, Germany;

关键词: Behavioral neuroscience;    Biological sciences;    Cellular neuroscience;   

DOI  :  

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Summary: The spinal cord is engaged in all forms of motor performance but its functions are far from understood. Because network connectivity defines function, we explored the connectivity of muscular, tendon, and tactile sensory inputs among a wide population of spinal interneurons in the lower cervical segments. Using low noise intracellular whole cell recordings in the decerebrated, non-anesthetized cat in vivo, we could define mono-, di-, and trisynaptic inputs as well as the weights of each input. Whereas each neuron had a highly specific input, and each indirect input could moreover be explained by inputs in other recorded neurons, we unexpectedly also found the input connectivity of the spinal interneuron population to form a continuum. Our data hence contrasts with the currently widespread notion of distinct classes of interneurons. We argue that this suggested diversified physiological connectivity, which likely requires a major component of circuitry learning, implies a more flexible functionality.

【 授权许可】

Unknown