In this episode, coauthor Savanna-Rae H. Fahoum dives into her recent research, shedding light on "Switching Neuron Contributions to Second Network Activity" and "Neuropeptide Modulation of Bidirectional Internetwork Synapses." Collaborating with Dawn M. Blitz, they utilize rhythmic neuronal networks in crabs as a model to explore the complex interactions between these networks and neurons capable of switching their network participation. Their findings reveal that when a neuron transitions into dual-network activity, only the second network influences its activity within that context. Furthermore, while the switching neuron can effectively coordinate second network neurons and regulate their activity levels, it's not always indispensable, suggesting a nuanced regulation of switching neurons that challenges the traditional view of them merely as followers in additional networks.

Journal of Neurophysiology 2024 131:2, 417-434

https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.00149.2024

In this episode, Justin W. Andrushko discusses the recently published research titled "Activity in the pontine reticular nuclei scales with handgrip force in humans." In this study, the authors used a task-based functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) paradigm to show that activity in the pontine reticular nuclei scales linearly with increasing force during a handgrip task. These findings directly support recently proposed hypotheses that the reticulospinal tract may play an important role in modulating force production in humans.

Article Citation:

Journal of Neurophysiology 2024 131:5, 807-814

In this episode of JNP's micro podcasts, Jessica R. Whitaker-Fornek of the University of Michigan Medical School discusses the recently published research titled "Inhibitory synaptic transmission is impaired in the Kölliker-Fuse of male, but not female, Rett syndrome mice."

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Kölliker-Fuse (KF) neurons in acute brain slices from male Rett syndrome (RTT) mice receive reduced inhibitory synaptic inputs compared with wild-type littermates. In female RTT mice, inhibitory transmission was not different in KF neurons compared with controls. The results from this study show that sex-specific alterations in synaptic transmission occur in the KF of RTT mice.

Journal of Neurophysiology 2023 130:6, 1578-1587