David L. McLean Development and plasticity of motor networks

Research Interests

Locomotion is a deceptively simple, yet essential behavior. We are interested in how neural circuits in the brainstem and spinal cord develop and ultimately control the speed and direction of locomotor movements. To do this, we study innate and learned exploratory and evasive behaviors in developing zebrafish using a combination of behavioral, imaging, electrophysiological and molecular approaches. By revealing basic principles of motor circuit organization, we hope to provide insights into disorders that affect our capacity to move, like Parkinson's disease, epilepsy or spinal injury. 

Selected Publications

Orderly compartmental mapping of premotor inhibition in the developing zebrafish spinal cord. Kishore S, Cadoff EB, Agha MA, and McLean DL. Science. 2020 October 23;370(6515):431-436.

Hierarchical control of locomotion by distinct types of spinal V2a interneurons in zebrafish. Menelaou E and McLean DL. Nature Communications. 2019 September 13;10:4197.

Visual Threat Assessment and Reticulospinal Encoding of Calibrated Responses in Larval Zebrafish. Bhattacharyya K, McLean DL, and MacIver MA. Current Biology. 2017 September 25;27(18):2751-2762.e6.

Selective Responses to Tonic Descending Commands by Temporal Summation in a Spinal Motor Pool. Wang W-C and McLean DL. Neuron. 2014 August 6;83(3):708-721.

Modular Organization of Axial Microcircuits in Zebrafish. Bagnall MW and McLean DL. Science. 2014 January 10;343(6167):197-200.

View all publications by David L. McLean listed in the National Library of Medicine (PubMed). Current and former IBiS students in blue.