# Functional development of interneurons that mediate the vestibulo-ocular reflex

> **NIH NIH R01** · NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE · 2020 · $629,200

## Abstract

Project Summary / Abstract
The vestibular system is critical for maintaining balance reflexes, vital behaviors that are disturbed both in ag-
ing and in several developmental disorders. While we know much about how the vestibular system functions
we know considerably less about how it develops. To form functional circuits, neurons must adopt the correct
identities and connect to appropriate partners. Many molecular mechanisms underlying these processes have
been proposed but how these mechanisms work in the context of a specific system to generate behavior is not
yet clear. We propose an innovative approach: to use the vestibulo-ocular reflex system of the larval zebrafish
as a simple and tractable model to determine the origin of cues that specify vestibular interneuron identity.
The vestibulo-ocular reflex circuit is a simple 3-neuron arc comprised of sensory neurons, interneurons, and
motoneurons. Proper behavior requires that the right sensors (e.g. for upward tilts) be linked to the proper mo-
toneurons (e.g. those that move the eyes down). Our lab has developed tools to determine interneuron identity
anatomically and electrophysiologically. We can remove possible sources of identity cues (motoneurons and
sensory neurons) either chronically, through genetic means, or acutely, through laser-mediated photoablation.
Finally, we can collect and process neurons across development to profile their patterns of gene expression.
This application proposes three Aims: To determine whether cues for interneuron identity arise from either (1)
the motor neurons, (2) the sensory neurons, or (3) from local interactions between interneurons themselves.
Completion of these experiments stands to make a significant contribution: to reveal the principles responsible
for balance circuit development. As such, the work is a major step towards the long-term goal of using such an
understanding to shed light on the mechanisms underlying vestibular and neurodevelopmental dysfunction.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9816628
- **Project number:** 5R01DC017489-02
- **Recipient organization:** NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
- **Principal Investigator:** David Schoppik
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $629,200
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-12-01 → 2023-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9816628

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9816628, Functional development of interneurons that mediate the vestibulo-ocular reflex (5R01DC017489-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9816628. Licensed CC0.

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