Force-Field Control in Frog Motor Behavior

最近的数据表明，四足脊椎动物的脊髓可能被组织成控制力场基元的回路。从我的实验室最近的数据显示，在棘蛙的时间动态的原始似乎有恒定的持续时间在许多情况下，包括快速在线轨迹校正。我们假设这个时间尺度是脊髓回路的保守特征。如果正确的话，这个由基元定义的时间尺度将影响脊柱轨迹形成、运动学习以及脊柱和棘上系统之间的控制划分。为了详细地检验这一假设，我们有三个具体的目的：（1）我们将检验这一假设，即脊髓擦拭反射中轨迹形成的所有调节都可以被理解为原语的相位和振幅的调节，而不是持续时间或时间动力学。(2)我们将测试的假设，个人和合奏感觉反馈电路的力场基元的组织，以保持时间动态的基元。(3)我们将测试从延髓和被盖的下行控制如何招募和/或重组脊髓原语的时间特性，以建立适应性运动行为。我们的数据将承担在脊柱水平的轨迹形成，下行和脊髓运动控制电路的相互作用，神经重组，设计神经修复和康复策略损伤后，神经假体的设计，和生物形态机器人。

Recent data suggests the spinal cord of tetrapod vertebrates may be organized into circuits that control forcefield primitives. Recent data from my laboratory shows the temporal dynamics of primitives in spinalized frogs appear to have constant duration in many contexts, including rapid on-line trajectory corrections. We hypothesize this time scale is a conserved characteristic of the spinal circuits. If correct, this time scale defined by a primitive would impact on spinal trajectory formation, motor learning and the partitioning of control between spinal and supraspinal systems. To test the hypothesis in detail we have three specific aims: (1) We will test the hypothesis that all adjustments of trajectory formation in spinal wiping reflex can be understood as regulation of phase and amplitude of primitives but not the duration or temporal dynamics. (2) We will test the hypothesis that individual and ensemble sensory feedback circuits acting on force-field primitives are organized to preserve the temporal dynamics of primitives. (3) We will test how descending controls from medulla and tegmentum recruit and/or reorganize the timing properties of spinal primitives to build adaptable motor behaviors. Our data will bear on trajectory formation at the spinal level, interaction of descending and spinal motor control circuits, neural reorganization, design of neural repair and rehabilitation strategies following injury, design of neuroprostheses, and biomorphic robotics.