Cerebellar control of targeted tongue movements

Bibliographic Details
Title: Cerebellar control of targeted tongue movements
Authors: Lorenzo Bina, Camilla Ciapponi, Si-yang Yu, Xiang Wang, Laurens W.J. Bosman, Chris I. De Zeeuw
Source: J Physiol
Publisher Information: Wiley, 2024.
Publication Year: 2024
Subject Terms: Male, Action Potentials/physiology, Movement, Tongue/physiology, Action Potentials, Purkinje Cells/physiology, Inbred C57BL, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Cerebellum/physiology, Purkinje Cells, Mice, Tongue, Cerebellum, Movement/physiology, Animals, Female, Neuroscience
Description: The cerebellum is critical for coordinating movements related to eating, drinking and swallowing, all of which require proper control of the tongue. Cerebellar Purkinje cells can encode tongue movements, but it is unclear how their simple spikes and complex spikes induce changes in the shape of the tongue that contribute to goal‐directed movements. To study these relations, we recorded and stimulated Purkinje cells in the vermis and hemispheres of mice during spontaneous licking from a stationary or moving water spout. We found that Purkinje cells can encode rhythmic licking with both their simple spikes and complex spikes. Increased simple spike firing during tongue protrusion induces ipsiversive bending of the tongue. Unexpected changes in the target location trigger complex spikes that alter simple spike firing during subsequent licks, adjusting the tongue trajectory. Furthermore, we observed increased complex spike firing during behavioural state changes at both the start and the end of licking bouts. Using machine learning, we confirmed that alterations in Purkinje cell activity accompany licking, with different Purkinje cells often exerting heterogeneous encoding schemes. Our data highlight that directional movement control is paramount in cerebellar function and that modulation of the complex spikes and that of the simple spikes are complementary during acquisition and execution of sensorimotor coordination. These results bring us closer to understanding the clinical implications of cerebellar disorders during eating, drinking and swallowing. imageKey points When drinking, mice make rhythmic tongue movements directed towards the water source. Cerebellar Purkinje cells can fire rhythmically in tune with the tongue movements. Purkinje cells encode changes in the position of the water source with complex spikes. Purkinje cell simple spike firing affects the direction of tongue movements. Purkinje cells that report changes in the position of the target can also adjust movements in the right direction.
Document Type: Article
Other literature type
Language: English
ISSN: 1469-7793
0022-3751
DOI: 10.1113/jp287732
DOI: 10.1101/2024.09.26.615128
Access URL: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40019494
Rights: CC BY
Accession Number: edsair.doi.dedup.....fcebc07f9ac1e6fdf08bb4e949514825
Database: OpenAIRE
Description
ISSN:14697793
00223751
DOI:10.1113/jp287732