Experience-dependent development of spinal motor neurons

Citation
Fm. Inglis et al., Experience-dependent development of spinal motor neurons, NEURON, 26(2), 2000, pp. 299-305
Citations number
58
Categorie Soggetti
Neurosciences & Behavoir
Journal title
NEURON
ISSN journal
08966273 → ACNP
Volume
26
Issue
2
Year of publication
2000
Pages
299 - 305
Database
ISI
SICI code
0896-6273(200005)26:2<299:EDOSMN>2.0.ZU;2-J
Abstract
Locomotor activity in many species undergoes pronounced alterations in earl y postnatal life, and environmental cues may be responsible for modifying t his process. To determine how these events are reflected in the nervous sys tem, we studied rats reared under two different conditions-the presence or absence of gravity-in which the performance of motor operations differed. W e found a significant effect of rearing environment on the size and complex ity of dendritic architecture of spinal motor neurons, particularly those t hat are likely to participate in postural control. These results provide ev idence that neurons subserving motor function undergo activity-dependent ma turation in early postnatal life in a manner analogous to sensory systems.