Journal of Neurophysiology

Synchronous spiking associated with prefrontal high gamma oscillations evokes a 5 Hz-rhythmic modulation of spiking in locus coeruleus

In this episode Editor in Chief Prof. Ramirez is joined by Prof Stroh of the University of Mainz and Prof. Totah of the University of Helsinki to discus the manuscript titled "Synchronous spiking associated with prefrontal high gamma oscillations evokes a 5 Hz-rhythmic modulation of spiking in locus coeruleus." Prof. Nelson Totah highlights the main conceptual advances in their paper and talks about what motivated them to focus on top down control exerted by PFC on LC. The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is thought to control activity in the noradrenergic locus coeruleus (LC). Prior anatomical and prefrontal stimulation studies demonstrated the potential for PFC-LC interactions; however, it is unknown what types of PFC activity affect the LC. In this podcast, the author talks about the transient increases in PFC high gamma power and associated changes in PFC unit-pair synchrony that are a potential sign of top-down control over the LC.

Nelson K. Totah, Nikos K. Logothetis, Oxana Eschenko

Also discussed: McCormick, D. A., Nestvogel, D. B. & He, B. J. Neuromodulation of Brain State and Behavior. Annu Rev Neurosci 43, 1–25 (2020)

 

https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.00677.2020 

Development and plasticity of complex movement representations

The topographic organization of skilled movements seem to be particularly plastic. The author describes how they addressed this issue in their study, and what methods they used. The motor cortex is topographically organized into maps of different body parts. We used to think that the function of motor cortex was to drive individual muscles, but more recently we have learned that it is also organized to make complex movements.  In this podcast Prof. Cam Teskey of the University of Calgary discuses in detail the emergence and topography of complex movement representation, as well as their plasticity during development. 

#neuroscience #JNPPodcastSeries 

Anna C. Singleton, Andrew R. Brown & G. Campbell Teskey

 

https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.00531.2020

 

The execution of movement - a spinal affair

What does it take to recover walking after a spinal cord injury? If you could replicate this supraspinal control – what aspects would you need? In this podcast Prof Sten Grillner talks about the spinal mechanisms that coordinate locomotion and the interaction between the different sensory mechanisms that help coordinate the locomotor movements and the central locomotor network.

 

Sten Grillner 

https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.00656.2020 @neuroscience 

Regulation of Vocal Precision by Noradrenergic Modulation of a Motor Nucleus

In this podcast, Editor-in-Chief, Nino Ramirez talks with Dr. Marc Schmidt (University of Pennsylvania) about his Research Article which explores recent theories of norepinephrine (NE) function regarding the stimulation of the norepinephrine function that NE can act directly on the motor system to influence the transition between exploratory and exploitative behavioral strategies.  Learn how the songbird can act directly on a "cortical" motor area and cause a switch between  exploratory and exploitative behavior.   Read the article:   

"Regulation of vocal precision by noradrenergic modulation of a motor nucleus"

Marc F Schmidt, Zachary Phillip Sheldon, Christina B. Castelino, Chris M. Glaze, Steve Bibu, Elvina Yau

https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.00154.2020  

 

Variable but not random: temporal pattern coding in a songbird brain area necessary for song modification

Have you ever wondered how the brain encodes information? How do you crack a code produced within the brain? What are the changes in practicing and performing during development and aging? In this podcast the authors talk about the differences between practice and performance. Be sure to listen to the end for our special guest.

 

S. E. Palmer,  B. D. Wright, A. J. Doupe, and M. H. Kao

 Read the article here: https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.00034.2019 @neuroscience 

Whole brain mapping of somatosensory responses in awake marmosets investigated with ultra-high field fMRI

In this podcast Editor in Chief Nino Ramirez interviews first author Justine Clery and senior author Stefan Everling about an insightful new Research Article by Clery et al.  Learn more about the advantages of the marmosets as a primate model system for studying primate neuroscience. The authors talk about using somatosensory stimulation combined with functional MRI in awake marmosets to reveal the topographic body representation in areas S1, S2, thalamus and putamen. They showed the existence of a body representation organization within the thalamus and the cingulate cortex by computing functional connectivity maps from seeds defined in S1/S2 using resting-state fMRI data. This non-invasive approach will be essential for chronic studies by guiding invasive recording and manipulation techniques.

https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.00480.2020 

@JustineClery @Yuki26147815 @andpru #neuroscience 

Online control of reach accuracy in mice

Have you ever wondered how the brain controls reaching movements, whether mice can perfect a reaching movement and cease making errors, which would resemble a “hot-hand” a phenomenon that has been proposed and discussed in Basketball. What about perfecting reaching movements in the violin? In this podcast Editor-in-Chief Nino Ramirez talks with Dr. Abby Person (University of Colorado), senior author of the study entitled “online control of reach accuracy in mice”. This study uses statistical machine learning and kinematic characterization to identify the canonical features of reaching movements that are conserved in mice and primates. Read the article here: https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.00324.2020 @personal_neuro 

Estimation of self-sustained activity produced by persistent inward currents using firing rate profiles of multiple motor units in humans

In this podcast, new Editor-in-Chief Nino Ramirez talks with Dr. Monica Gorassini (University of Alberta) about her recent article which employed a "new method of estimating synaptic drive to multiple, simultaneously recorded motor units" in order to explore the contribution of persistent inward currents to self-sustained firing across motoneuron size. This article was also featured in August's issue of APSselect!

"Estimation of self-sustained activity produced by persistent inward currents using firing rate profiles of multiple motor units in humans"

Babak Afsharipour, Nagib Manzur, Jennifer Duchcherer, Keith F. Fenrich, Christopher K. Thompson, Francesco Negro, Katharina A. Quinlan, David J. Bennett, and Monica A. Gorassini

Published online June 26, 2020.

DOI: 10.1152/jn.00194.2020.

LRRK2 mutation alters behavioral, synaptic, and nonsynaptic adaptations to acute social stress

How does a common Parkinson's Disease-linked mutation affect stress response? In this podcast, Editor-in-Chief Bill Yates talks with Christopher Guevara, Dr. Bridget Matikainen-Ankney, Dr. Deanna Benson, and Dr. George Huntley (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai) about their Rapid Report article, which explored this question in a mouse model of the LRRK2-G2019S mutation. Listen to learn about evidence of how "G2019S alters the magnitude and direction of behavioral responses to stress that may reflect unique modifications of adaptive plasticity in cells and circuits implicated in psychopathology in humans."

LRRK2 mutation alters behavioral, synaptic, and nonsynaptic adaptations to acute social stress
Christopher A. Guevara,* Bridget A. Matikainen-Ankney,* Nebojsa Kezunovic, Katherine LeClair, Alexander P. Conway, Caroline Menard, Meghan E. Flanigan, Madeline Pfau, Scott J. Russo, Deanna L. Benson,* and George W. Huntley, Published online June 16, 2020.
DOI: 10.1152/jn.00137.2020.

Comparative gain-of-function effects of the KCNMA1-N999S mutation on human BK channel properties

In this podcast, Editor-in-Chief Bill Yates talks with Dr. Andrea Meredith and Dr. Hans Moldenhauer about their article which compares the effects of different mutations (N999S and D434G) which are associated with the recently-identified neurological disorder called KCNMA1-linked channelopathy. This research was also featured in Episode 4 of the Netflix and New York Times documentary series Diagnosis. Listen to learn about BK channels, gain-of-function mutations, and important clinical implications of this research!

Comparative gain-of-function effects of the KCNMA1-N999S mutation on human BK channel properties
Hans J. Moldenhauer, Katia K. Matychak, and Andrea L. Meredith, Published online February 4, 2020.
DOI: 10.1152/jn.00626.2019.