# Dopaminergic modulation of spinal locomotor circuits

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA · 2020 · $329,459

## Abstract

Project Summary
Abstract
The focus of this proposal is to characterize DAergic modulation of coarse and fine locomotor control using a
multi-level integrative approach, from behavior to receptor signaling, that employs a powerful array of
approaches. To gain a fundamental understanding of the cellular, network and modulatory properties that
underlie the development of vertebrate locomotor activity it is critical to examine the neural mechanisms that
drive the activity. This proposal is designed to address three main points: 1) Determine the neural mechanisms
underlying a developmental switch in locomotor activity from an immature to a mature pattern by a combination
of pharmacological, optogenetic and calcium imaging experiments, 2) Characterize the role of descending
dopaminergic drive in fine motor behaviors, such as orienting and advancing maneuvers during hunting, by
high-speed kinematic analysis of larvae with targeted inactivation (laser photoablation and/or optogenetic) of
dopaminergic neurons in the ventral diencephalon, and 3) Identify spinal neurons modulated by the
descending dopaminergic drive by correlating the expression of dopamine receptor mRNA transcripts with
identified classes of putative locomotor-related spinal neurons. The broad intellectual scope of this proposal
and the use of diverse experimental techniques, from simple behavioral measurements to the optical control of
neuronal activity, permit the inclusion of students across various levels of sophistication, including high school
(restricted to summer months), undergraduate and graduate students, and postdoctoral associates. The lab
currently has one graduate student, one post-doctoral associate (5+ years of experience), a senior research
associate (over 20+ years of experience), and several undergraduates. Understanding the cellular, network
and modulatory properties that underlie the development of locomotor activity will likely aid in developing
therapeutic interventions for DAergic-related diseases of the motor system, such as Restless Leg Syndrome,
Periodic Leg Movement Disorder and Parkinson's Disease.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9977291
- **Project number:** 5R01NS094176-05
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
- **Principal Investigator:** Mark A Masino
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $329,459
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2016-07-01 → 2022-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9977291

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9977291, Dopaminergic modulation of spinal locomotor circuits (5R01NS094176-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9977291. Licensed CC0.

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