TNF Neurosystems Group (PI Morris)
Research Interests
After an injury, the adult spinal cord fails to regenerate and damage at cervical levels is particularly devastating as it results in quadriplegia. However, there is now evidence that the delivery of neurotrophins to the injured spinal cord can elicit axonal growth and regenerative sprouting. One aspect of the Systems Neuroscience Group research is to use adenoviral vectors to modulate the levels of neurotrophins into spinal cord motor neurones in animal models of spinal cord injury. It is hypothesised that this gene therapy scenario will assist the recovery of motor function of the forelimb.
Another aspect of the research in the Systems Neuroscience Group is to investigate the neural basis of skilled reaching. Rats are trained to reach for sugar pellets, a paradigm called the "Single Pellet Skilled Reaching Task" after which they are subjected to different lesions of the brain and spinal cord that are known to be involved in motor control. The main objective is to characterise the exact contribution of these structures to fine motor control of the forelimb and the paw.
Collaboration
Prof Ian Whishaw, Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
Funding
- Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation Grant
- Faculty of Medicine Grant
Current Projects
- Modulation of BDNF expression in motor neurones to promote the recovery of hand/digits function in a rat model of spinal cord injury
- The contribution of the descending pathways within the lateral funiculus to skilled reaching in the rat
- Differential contribution of the dorsolateral funiculus and dorsal roots to skilled reaching in the rat
- Characterisation of the degree of overlap between the columns of motor neurons innervating the rat forelimb
Publications
Ann Wu, Jenny L. Lauschke, Renee Morris, and Phil M.E. Waite (2009). Characterization of Rat Forepaw Function in Two Models of Cervical Dorsal Root Injury. Journal of Neurotrauma 26:17–29
Renee Morris, The behavioural contribution of the rubrospinal tract in skilled reaching. Submitted for publication to Exp Neurol.
Morris, R., Tosolini, A.P., Goldstein, J.D. and I.Q. Whishaw. Impaired Arpeggio Movement in Skilled Reaching by Rubrospinal Track Lesions in the Rat: A Behavioral/Anatomical Fractionation. Manuscript submitted to the Journal of Neurotrauma
Morris, R. and A.P. Tosolini. Spatial Characterization of the Motor Neuron Columns Supplying the Rat Forelimb. Manuscript submitted to the Journal of Comparative Neurology