Deep imaging in the brainstem reveals functional heterogeneity in V2a neurons controlling locomotion
Sci. Adv.. 2020-12-02; 6(49):
DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abc6309
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Schwenkgrub J(1)(2), Harrell ER(1)(2), Bathellier B(3)(2), Bouvier J(3).
Author information:
(1)Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, 91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
(2)Institut Pasteur, INSERM, Institut de l’Audition, 63 rue de Charenton, F-75012 Paris, France.
(3)Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, 91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, France. .
V2a neurons are a genetically defined cell class that forms a major excitatory descending pathway from the brainstem reticular formation to the spinal cord. Their activation has been linked to the termination of locomotor activity based on broad optogenetic manipulations. However, because of the difficulties involved in accessing brainstem structures for in vivo cell type-specific recordings, V2a neuron function has never been directly observed during natural behaviors. Here, we imaged the activity of V2a neurons using micro-endoscopy in freely moving
mice. We find that as many as half of the V2a neurons are excited at locomotion arrest and with low reliability. Other V2a neurons are inhibited at locomotor arrests and/or activated during other behaviors such as locomotion initiation or stationary grooming. Our results establish that V2a neurons not only drive stops as suggested by bulk optogenetics but also are stratified into subpopulations that likely contribute to diverse motor patterns.
Copyright © 2020 The Authors, some rights reserved; exclusive licensee American Association for the Advancement of Science. No claim to original U.S. Government Works. Distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0 (CC BY).