title: The motor output of hindlimb innervating segments of the spinal cord is modulated by cholinergic activation of rostrally projecting sacral relay neurons.
abstract: Cholinergic networks have been shown to be involved in generation and modulation of the locomotor rhythmic pattern produced by the mammalian central pattern generators. Here, we show that changes in the endogenous levels of acetylcholine in the sacral segments of the isolated spinal cord of the neonatal rat modulate the locomotor-related output produced by stimulation of sacrocaudal afferents in muscarinic receptor-dependent mechanisms. Cholinergic components we found on sacral relay neurons with lumbar projections through the ventral and lateral funiculi are suggested to mediate this ascending cholinergic modulation. Our findings, possible mechanisms accounting for them, and their potential implications are discussed.
authors: Department of Medical Neurobiology, IMRIC, The Hebrew University Medical School, Jerusalem, 9112102, Israel.
authors: Alex
authors: A
authors: Etlin
authors: Eran
authors: E
authors: Finkel
authors: Meir
authors: M
authors: Cherniak
authors: Aharon
authors: A
authors: Lev-Tov
authors: Lili
authors: L
authors: Anglister
mesh_terms: D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D002799:Cholinergic Fibers / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D006614:Hindlimb / Q000294:innervation*; D007395:Interneurons / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D000109:Acetylcholine