WalkingCrossingNeurons

Cerebellar molecular layer interneuron network activity and function during walking and obstacle crossing The cerebellum plays a crucial role for the timing and coordination of movements. It is known that the cerebellar microcircuit processes sensorimotor inputs and makes immediate alterations of ongoing movements. The cellular underpinnings of such a task remain largely unknown. We propose to study the role of the cerebellar molecular layer interneuron (MLI) network and its control of Purkinje cell (PC) activity - the output cells of the cerebellar cortex - in awake mice by combining calcium imaging with electrophysiological recordings. Experiments will be paralleled by building an MLI network model to reveal possible activity and synchronization regimes. Our goal is to shed light on the activity patterns occurring in the MLI network and the functional role of the MLI - PC interaction during locomotion, learning and adaptation to environmental changes. The results will advance our understanding of the cerebellar microcircuit and its involvement in generating coordinated movement in mammals.