Pfaff, Samuel

<p>Mar 19, 2015 02:28 PM</p>

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at The Salk. see lecture today in Clark Aud.</p>

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hosted by Kang Shen &nbsp;(Stfd).</p>

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The rich behavioral repertoire of animals is encoded in the CNS as a set of motor neuron activation patterns, called 'motor synergies'. However, the neurons that orchestrate these motor programs as well as their cellular properties and connectivity are poorly understood. We have used viral tracing, Ca imaging, and genetic methods to identify interneurons that comprise a cellular network for encoding coordinated motor output programs. The basic architecture and genetic requirements of this network will be described.</p>

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MSE = motor synergy encoder &nbsp;(see 2014 paper: neurons in the deep dorsal horn that

coordinate movements common to stepping, etc. &nbsp;(primitive coordinated patterns).</p>

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we chat:</p>

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my Q: &nbsp;# of inputs to anterior horn motor neurons?

A: &nbsp;might be &nbsp;50,000 &nbsp;!!! &nbsp;(huge dendritic arbor.</p>

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he recommends &nbsp;YouTube of cord transection pt. at UCLA receiving spinal stimulation

(in answer to my Q abt whether patterned mvmts have been demonstrated in primates

(they are well demonstrated in rodents).</p>