Findings shed light on ancient origins of speed control during movement

CHICAGO, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- A Northwestern University (NU) research team has discovered in a study of zebrafish that there is a very orderly relationship between when spinal inhibitory neurons are born, their participation in different speeds of movement and what part of a motor neuron they innervate.

In the study, the researchers used a number of cutting-edge approaches, including using lasers and fluorescent proteins to light up individual neurons and their connections in the transparent fish. They also used electrophysiology in genetically modified fish to characterize function in intact, behaving animals.