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Precise Control of Movement Kinematics by Optogenetic Inhibition of Purkinje Cell Activity
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Precise Control of Movement Kinematics by Optogenetic Inhibition of Purkinje Cell Activity

Shane A. Heiney, Jinsook Kim, George J Augustine and Javier F. Medina
The Journal of neuroscience, Vol.34(6), pp.2321-2330
02/05/2014
DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.4547-13.2014
PMCID: PMC3913874
PMID: 24501371
url
https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.4547-13.2014View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Purkinje cells (PCs) of the cerebellar cortex are necessary for controlling movement with precision, but a mechanistic explanation of how the activity of these inhibitory neurons regulates motor output is still lacking. We used an optogenetic approach in awake mice to show for the first time that transiently suppressing spontaneous activity in a population of PCs is sufficient to cause discrete movements that can be systematically modulated in size, speed, and timing depending on how much and how long PC firing is suppressed. We further demonstrate that this fine control of movement kinematics is mediated by a graded disinhibition of target neurons in the deep cerebellar nuclei. Our results prove a long-standing model of cerebellar function and provide the first demonstration that suppression of inhibitory signals can act as a powerful mechanism for the precise control of behavior.
Life Sciences & Biomedicine Neurosciences Neurosciences & Neurology Science & Technology

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