Development of circuits that generate simple rhythmic behaviors in vertebrates.
Neurobiologists have long sought to understand how circuits in the nervous system are organized to generate the precise neural outputs that underlie particular behaviors. Given the complexity of the nervous system in higher vertebrates this is a daunting task. Nevertheless, recent advances in developmental genetics hold out hope that studies of locomotor and respiratory circuits will provide general insight for understanding how ensembles of neurons are wired to control specific behaviors.
Goulding
Martyn
M
Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA. goulding@salk.edu
Pfaff
Samuel L
SL
D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000254:growth & development*; D010507:Periodicity; D015656:Respiratory Mechanics / Q000502:physiology