Regenerated interneurons integrate into locomotor circuitry following spinal cord injury

Abstract

Whereas humans and other adult mammals lack the ability to regain locomotor function after spinal cord injury, zebrafish are able to recover swimming behavior even after complete spinal cord transection. We have previously shown that zebrafish larvae regenerate lost spinal cord neurons within 9 days post-injury (dpi), but it is unknown whether these neurons are physiologically active or integrate into functional circuitry. Here we show that genetically defined premotor interneurons are regenerated in injured spinal cord segments as functional recovery begins. Further, we show that these newly-generated interneurons receive excitatory input and fire synchronously with motor output by 9 dpi. Taken together, our data indicate that regenerative neurogenesis in the zebrafish spinal cord produces interneurons with the ability to integrate into existing locomotor circuitry.