Topic: V2a reticulospinal neurons

Kinematics and neuronal circuits for straight-trajectory forward locomotion have been well-explored. However, only few investigations delved into the various motor strategies for locomotor turning and the corresponding neuronal drivers. Recently, we revealed in mice that the unilateral activation of V2a reticulospinal neurons in the gigantocellular nucleus (V2aGRN) induces turns marked by a temporary pause in stepping and an ipsilateral bending of the body axis. We have also shown that these features are driven independently by spinally-projecting V2aGRN subsets accessed from L2 and C2 respect

The kinematics of straight-trajectory forward locomotion has been extensively studied, but the motor strategies used for changing direction have been rarely investigated. We recently found in the mouse that the stimulation of V2a reticulospinal neurons in the gigantocellular nucleus (V2aGRN) leads to locomotor turning. Nevertheless, the complete body movements associated with this induced behavior, and their relevance in the context of spontaneous locomotion, remain underexplored. We address this here, by characterizing and comparing, with 3D motion capture at high spatial and temporal resolut