Circuits for self-motion estimation and walking control in Drosophila

Curr Opin Neurobiol. 2023 Jul 13;81:102748. doi: 10.1016/j.conb.2023.102748. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTThe brain's evolution and operation are inextricably linked to animal movement, and critical functions, such as motor control, spatial perception, and navigation, rely on precise knowledge of body movement. Such internal estimates of self-motion emerge from the integration of mechanosensory and visual feedback with motor-related signals. Thus, this internal representation likely depends on the activity of circuits distributed across the central nervous system. However, the circuits responsible for self-motion estimation, and the exact mechanisms by which motor-sensory coordination occurs within these circuits remain poorly understood. Recent technological advances have positioned Drosophila melanogaster as an advantageous model for investigating the emergence, maintenance, and utilization of self-motion representations during naturalistic walking behaviors. In this review, I will illustrate how the adult fly is providing insights into the fundamental problems of self-motion computations and walking control, which have relevance for all animals.PMID:37453230 | DOI:10.1016/j.conb.2023.102748

Source: Current Opinion in Neurobiology - July 15, 2023 Category: Neurology Authors: M Eugenia Chiappe Source Type: research