WELCOME TO THE SPINAL CIRCUITS AND NEUROMODULATION LABORATORY
About Us
We have federal funded projects focused on assessing the role of sensory feedback (sensory information) coming from our lower limbs via peripheral nerves onto networks (groups) of cells located in our spinal cord after a spinal cord injury (SCI). We also have projects studying the role of spinal networks and its component neurons in the control of locomotion and its changes due to the use of neuromodulatory substances such as caffeine, ethanol, taurine, and others.
To perform the experiments which are relevant to the projects described above, we use electrophysiological techniques, such as intracellular whole-cell patch clamp recordings and extracellular nerve recordings, confocal imaging, and immunohistochemistry.
Our research and mentoring objectives::
1) Neuromodulation of cellular networks in normal and/or diseased states
The effects of that neural chemicals known as neurotransmitters or neuropeptides can have on basic mechanisms that occur in our central nervous system is well documented and is known to be very significant. The consumption of known natural or artificial psychostimulants, such as caffeine, by animals or humans can have a significant impact on the short and long-term performance of cognitive and/or motor skills. These results support the stimulant effects of caffeine onto adenosine receptors located within the spinal network controlling walking, acting mostly through the inhibition of A1 adenosine receptors. We want to understand the cellular mechanisms by which adenosine receptor antagonists and agonist modulates the firing properties of the spinal CPG network for locomotion since adenosine receptors have been related to the reduction of inflammation and neuroprotection after a spinal cord injury. We are additionally studying the role of adenosine and dopamine in the pathological physiology of Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) which is a very prevalent neurologic disorder. According to the RLS Epidemiology, Symptoms and Treatment (REST) study, 5% of US and European reported experiencing RLS symptoms at least weekly (Allen et al., 2005). Those symptoms include a periodic, rest-induced, mostly nocturnal, movement-responsive urge to move the legs or periodic leg movements during sleep (PLMS) and hyperarousal (Allen et al., 2010; Ferri et al., 2014; Ferré et al., 2015).
2) Identification of the segmental neural circuits controlling trunk motor coordination
In order to produce fluid limb movements, the proper control of our trunk muscles is essential to maintain balance and postural stability and to permit proper limb movements with regards to joint interactions. The existence of a thoracic CPG network has major behavioral implications by allowing the thoracic neural circuitry to locally control posture and balance and to produce perturbation-induced corrections together with or independent of limb-produced movements. Also, the study of trunk motor control and its interaction with sensory feedback would provide fundamental information regarding sensory-motor integration relevant to mammals (including humans) and to the field of robotics where more realistic movement and control could be achieved. To assess the effects of sensory input on thoracic motor activity we will use a novel thoracic spinal cord-muscle-attached in vitro preparation, where a motor output leads to actual muscle contraction and activation of sensory feedback allows us to study real-time sensory-motor integration in a mammalian motor circuit.
3) Mentoring impact
Understanding the cellular networks contributing to complex multi-segmental movements using electrophysiology, calcium imaging and mouse transgenics will provide enriching experiences for students at all academic stages. Further, the PI is highly committed in recruiting students underrepresented in science (including Hispanics and women) to a highly stimulating laboratory environment where electrophysiology and confocal imaging are used routinely by undergraduate and graduate participants. The PI is also committed to disseminate his passion for scientific exploration including their findings regarding the circuits that control trunk movements through ongoing community outreach programs including the “Science Fair project”, which provides research experiences to public school students and teachers through the preparation of competitive science fair projects, and “From the Backyard to the Science Lab” which brings novel low-cost research tools to schools lacking resources for lab-based neuroscience training.. Furthering the scientific career of underrepresented groups in science is of high priority in our research laboratory and aligned to the programmatic mission of federal organizations such as the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation (NSF).
To perform the experiments which are relevant to the projects described above, we use electrophysiological techniques, such as intracellular whole-cell patch clamp recordings and extracellular nerve recordings, confocal imaging, and immunohistochemistry.
Our research and mentoring objectives::
1) Neuromodulation of cellular networks in normal and/or diseased states
The effects of that neural chemicals known as neurotransmitters or neuropeptides can have on basic mechanisms that occur in our central nervous system is well documented and is known to be very significant. The consumption of known natural or artificial psychostimulants, such as caffeine, by animals or humans can have a significant impact on the short and long-term performance of cognitive and/or motor skills. These results support the stimulant effects of caffeine onto adenosine receptors located within the spinal network controlling walking, acting mostly through the inhibition of A1 adenosine receptors. We want to understand the cellular mechanisms by which adenosine receptor antagonists and agonist modulates the firing properties of the spinal CPG network for locomotion since adenosine receptors have been related to the reduction of inflammation and neuroprotection after a spinal cord injury. We are additionally studying the role of adenosine and dopamine in the pathological physiology of Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) which is a very prevalent neurologic disorder. According to the RLS Epidemiology, Symptoms and Treatment (REST) study, 5% of US and European reported experiencing RLS symptoms at least weekly (Allen et al., 2005). Those symptoms include a periodic, rest-induced, mostly nocturnal, movement-responsive urge to move the legs or periodic leg movements during sleep (PLMS) and hyperarousal (Allen et al., 2010; Ferri et al., 2014; Ferré et al., 2015).
2) Identification of the segmental neural circuits controlling trunk motor coordination
In order to produce fluid limb movements, the proper control of our trunk muscles is essential to maintain balance and postural stability and to permit proper limb movements with regards to joint interactions. The existence of a thoracic CPG network has major behavioral implications by allowing the thoracic neural circuitry to locally control posture and balance and to produce perturbation-induced corrections together with or independent of limb-produced movements. Also, the study of trunk motor control and its interaction with sensory feedback would provide fundamental information regarding sensory-motor integration relevant to mammals (including humans) and to the field of robotics where more realistic movement and control could be achieved. To assess the effects of sensory input on thoracic motor activity we will use a novel thoracic spinal cord-muscle-attached in vitro preparation, where a motor output leads to actual muscle contraction and activation of sensory feedback allows us to study real-time sensory-motor integration in a mammalian motor circuit.
3) Mentoring impact
Understanding the cellular networks contributing to complex multi-segmental movements using electrophysiology, calcium imaging and mouse transgenics will provide enriching experiences for students at all academic stages. Further, the PI is highly committed in recruiting students underrepresented in science (including Hispanics and women) to a highly stimulating laboratory environment where electrophysiology and confocal imaging are used routinely by undergraduate and graduate participants. The PI is also committed to disseminate his passion for scientific exploration including their findings regarding the circuits that control trunk movements through ongoing community outreach programs including the “Science Fair project”, which provides research experiences to public school students and teachers through the preparation of competitive science fair projects, and “From the Backyard to the Science Lab” which brings novel low-cost research tools to schools lacking resources for lab-based neuroscience training.. Furthering the scientific career of underrepresented groups in science is of high priority in our research laboratory and aligned to the programmatic mission of federal organizations such as the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation (NSF).