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Rodent Isolated Spinal Cord Preparations to Examine Motor Output

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Isolated Central Nervous System Circuits

Part of the book series: Neuromethods ((NM,volume 73))

Abstract

Understanding mammalian neural networks such as the central pattern generator (CPG) for locomotion requires the use of multiple experimental models. In vitro approaches provide easy access to the spinal cord, thus allowing more experimental tools to be used. In this chapter, some established and new tools are outlined that are being used to advance our understanding of CPG function at both cellular and ­network levels. A variety of in vitro models exist including the isolated spinal cord, brainstem-spinal cord, and spinal cord leg-attached preparations. There are also a variety of ways to activate spinal CPGs using these preparations. Choosing which preparation and mode of CPG activation will vary depending on the question being asked. This chapter will review some of the common approaches used and also examine optogenetic, genetic, and Ca2+ imaging approaches that are being used to dissect the structure and function of CPGs.

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Acknowledgments

We acknowledge the excellent technical assistance of Michelle Tran. Support from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council is gratefully acknowledged. Dr. Patrick Whelan is a Senior Scholar of the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research (AHFMR).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada

    Sravan Mandadi, Stan T. Nakanishi, Pengcheng Han, Jennifer M. Humphreys & Patrick J. Whelan

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  1. Sravan Mandadi
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  2. Stan T. Nakanishi
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  3. Pengcheng Han
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  4. Jennifer M. Humphreys
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  5. Patrick J. Whelan
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Patrick J. Whelan .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, Department of Physiology and Centre for, University of Alberta, N/A 232D, Edmonton, T6G 2S2, Alberta, Canada

    Klaus Ballanyi

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Mandadi, S., Nakanishi, S.T., Han, P., Humphreys, J.M., Whelan, P.J. (2012). Rodent Isolated Spinal Cord Preparations to Examine Motor Output. In: Ballanyi, K. (eds) Isolated Central Nervous System Circuits. Neuromethods, vol 73. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-020-5_15

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-020-5_15

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-62703-019-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-62703-020-5

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