Research description

The vertebrates possess a broad behavior repertoire, which is the only way to interact with the world. The neural circuits of generation and maintenance of locomotor behaviors locate at the ventral region of the spinal cord, termed as spinal “central pattern generators” (CPGs). The brain descending systems integrate the signals of sensation, perception, emotion and cognition, generate distinct motor commands and recruit specific spinal neuronal networks to accomplish the desired motor actions. We are particularly interested in investigating how the central nervous system encodes complex behaviors, such as sequential motor actions and how the central emotion control maintaining the persistent behavior states. Furthermore, the trauma or diseases disrupt the neural circuit controlling motor behaviors. We put great efforts on revealing the intrinsic mechanism governing the circuit reestablishment underlie spontaneous locomotor restoration.