In this study we have combined calcium imaging, measurement of membrane potential, time-lapse imaging and immunocytochemistry to obtain a spatial overview of migrating mouse embryonic neural progenitor cell-derived cells responding to glutamate receptor agonists and antagonists. Responses via metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 correlated with radial glial cells and dominated in the inner migration zones close to the neurosphere. Block

of metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 resulted in shorter radial glial processes, a transient increase in neuron-like cells emerging from the neurosphere and increased motility of neuron-like cells. α-Amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA)/kainate receptors are present on the majority of migrating neuronal cells, which with time accumulate

at the outer edge of the migration zone. Blocking AMPK activator these receptors leads to an enhanced extension of radial glial processes and a reduced motility of neuron-like cells. Our results indicate that functional glutamate receptors have profound effects on the motility of neural progenitor cells. The main target for metabotropic glutamate Angiogenesis inhibitor receptor 5 appears to be radial glial cells while AMPA/kainate receptors are mainly expressed in newborn neuronal cells and regulate the migratory progress of these cells. The results suggest that both metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 and AMPA/kainate

receptors are of importance for the guidance of migrating embryonic progenitor cells. “
“The aim of this study was to identify spinal target cells of spinocerebellar neurons, in particular the ventral spinocerebellar tract (VSCT) neurons, giving off axon collaterals terminating within the lumbosacral enlargement. Axons of spinocerebellar neurons were stimulated within the cerebellum while searching for most direct synaptic actions on intracellularly recorded hindlimb motoneurons and interneurons. In motoneurons the dominating all effects were inhibitory [inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs) in 67% and excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) in 17% of motoneurons]. Latencies of most IPSPs indicated that they were evoked disynaptically and mutual facilitation between these IPSPs and disynaptic IPSPs evoked by group Ia afferents from antagonist muscles and group Ib and II afferents from synergists indicated that they were relayed by premotor interneurons in reflex pathways from muscle afferents. Monosynaptic EPSPs from the cerebellum were accordingly found in Ia inhibitory interneurons and intermediate zone interneurons with input from group I and II afferents but only oligosynaptic EPSPs in motoneurons. Monosynaptic EPSPs following cerebellar stimulation were also found in some VSCT neurons, indicating coupling between various spinocerebellar neurons.