Neuronal mechanisms of postural control: physiology and pathophysiology

Control of posture and balance is a vital function of the CNS.

GENERAL GOAL of this project is to understand the organization and operation of neuronal mechanisms responsible for postural control, changes in these mechanisms underlying impairment and recovery of postural functions, as well as to examine new approaches for promoting recuperation of impaired postural functions.

The study will be performed at Karolinska Institute in 2021-2025.

Novel techniques, including genetic-based methods, recording the activity of individual identified neurons during postural tasks performed by freely behaving animals, method of “reversible spinal cord injury”, etc. will be employed.

MAIN SPECIFIC AIMS of the project: (1) To determine the functional role of genetically identified populations of neurons of postural network in control of different aspects of posture.

Based on obtained results, to improve impaired postural functions by chemogenetic manipulations with activity of specific groups of neurons. (2) To characterize operation of the neuronal mechanism leading to formation of supraspinal postural commands, changes in its operation underlying impairment and recovery of postural functions after incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI). (3) To characterize contribution of the motor cortex to recovery of postural functions after iSCI.

Results of this study will provide a necessary basis for designing new rehabilitation strategies for improvement of postural deficits of different etiology.