Development and plasticity of motor networks

Repetitive movements, like walking or breathing, are generated by networks of rhythmically active neurons. We are interested in how rhythmic networks develop and produce movements of different speeds and intensities. To do this, we study the spinal networks controlling innate motor behaviors in developing zebrafish. Zebrafish provide a unique opportunity to combine imaging, electrophysiological and molecular approaches to examine the neural control of behavior in the living organism. By revealing common principles of organization, we hope to provide insights into disorders that affect our capacity to move, like Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy or spinal injury.

Selected References:

• McLean DL, Fetcho JR (2009) Spinal interneurons differentiate sequentially from those driving the fastest swimming movements in larval zebrafish to those driving the slowest ones. Journal of Neuroscience 29:13566-77.

• McLean DL, Masino MA, Koh IYY, Lindquist WB, Fetcho JR (2008) Continuous shifts in the active set of spinal interneurons during changes in locomotor speed. Nature Neuroscience 11: 1419-1429. [Full Text].

• McLean DL, Fan J, Higashijima S, Hale ME, Fetcho JR (2007) A topographic map of recruitment in spinal cord.  Nature 446: 71-75. [Full Text].

• Bhatt DH*, McLean DL*, Hale ME, Fetcho JR (2007) Grading movement strength by changes in firing intensity versus recruitment of spinal interneurons.  Neuron 53: 91-102. (*, equal contribution). [Full Text].

• McLean DL, Fetcho JR (2004) Ontogeny and innervation patterns of dopaminergic, noradrenergic and serotonergic neurons in larval zebrafish.  Journal of Comparative Neurology 480: 38-56. [Full Text].

• McLean DL, Sillar KT (2004) Metamodulation of a spinal locomotor network by nitric oxide.  Journal of Neuroscience 24: 9561-9571. [Full Text].

Other Links:

• link to a more detailed research description

• Klingenstein Fellow Announcement

• Eppendorf Finalist Announcement