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Tesi etd-05192021-123944


Tipo di tesi
Tesi di laurea magistrale LM6
Autore
FALASCONI, ANTONIO
URN
etd-05192021-123944
Titolo
Distinct pathways for motor control arise from the Mesencephalic Locomotor Region
Dipartimento
RICERCA TRASLAZIONALE E DELLE NUOVE TECNOLOGIE IN MEDICINA E CHIRURGIA
Corso di studi
MEDICINA E CHIRURGIA
Relatori
relatore Prof. Gemignani, Angelo
correlatore Prof.ssa Arber, Silvia
Parole chiave
  • action control
  • midbrain
  • motor control
  • neuronal circuits
Data inizio appello
15/06/2021
Consultabilità
Non consultabile
Data di rilascio
15/06/2091
Riassunto
The mesencephalic locomotor region (MLR) has been discovered through electrical stimulation experiments for its ability to generate coordinated locomotion and other full-body movements. Different studies have identified excitatory neurons as the key player in generating these effects, nonetheless the real function of these neurons is still unknown. Clinical trials for Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) targeting the MLR in drug-resistant Parkinson’s disease have recently yielded controversial results, highlighting the functional complexity of this brainstem region.
Here, we functionally dissect two distinct motor pathways arising in the MLR, projecting to the basal ganglia and spinal cord, harnessing genetics, intersectional viral targeting, deep brain imaging and optogenetic tools. MLR neurons with spinal projections are in control of full-body movement, particularly trunk extension. MLR neurons with ascending projections to the basal ganglia output nuclei display complex activity patterns during forelimb and orofacial behaviors and, through their widespread synaptic targets, holistically regulate movement.
Altogether, our findings reveal the existence of functionally segregated neuronal subpopulations within the MLR and suggest that this diversity explains controversial findings in basic research on motor control and in the clinical investigation of movement disorders.
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