Research
Research
How do animals learn to generate and control movement?
We study the mechanisms of circuit assembly, function, and plasticity that lead to motor learning and recovery after neurotrauma
Motor control by sensory feedback
Currently, the lab focuses on how different types of sensory feedback circuits control repetitive and complex motor behavior, with a primary focus on proprioceptive and visual feedback. In particular, we study 1) mechanisms of circuit function and plasticity that lead to motor learning and 2) how different types of sensory feedback circuits control repetitive and complex motor behavior, with a primary focus on somatosensory and visual feedback.
Our aims are to understand how sensory feedback are processed through neurocircuits at the level of the cortex, midbrain, brainstem or spinal cord to facilitate motor learning in health and after traumatic injury to compensate for and contribute to motor recovery.
A multidisciplinary approach
We use a wide variety of methods, including detailed motor kinematic assessments, mouse genetics, viral tracing and manipulation, electrophysiological and imaging techniques.
This combinatorial approach allows us to manipulate functions of specific neuronal populations, which in turn helps us to understand their roles in sensory information processing necessary for motor output and plasticity.
Key publications
Neurotransmitter phenotype switching by spinal excitatory interneurons regulates locomotor recovery after spinal cord injury
Hannah Bertels, Guillem Vicente-Ortiz, Khadija El Kanbi & Aya Takeoka
Electrophysiological signatures reveal spinal learning mechanisms for a lasting sensorimotor adaptation
Simon Lavaud, Mattia D’Andola, Charlotte Bichara and Aya Takeoka
Proprioception: Bottom-up directive for motor recovery after spinal cord injury
Aya Takeoka
Functional local proprioceptive feedback circuits initiate and maintain locomotor recovery after spinal cord injury
Aya Takeoka, Silvia Arber
Long-distance descending spinal neurons ensure quadrupedal locomotor stability
Ludwig Ruder, Aya Takeoka, Silvia Arber
Multisensory signaling shapes vestibulo-motor circuit specificity
Emanuela Basaldella, Aya Takeoka, Sigrist Markus, Silvia Arber
Muscle spindle feedback directs locomotor recovery and circuit reorganization after spinal cord injury
Aya Takeoka, Isabel Vollenweider, Grégoire Courtine, Silvia Arber