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Movement constitutes a fundamental part of all brain activity. Nearly every form of behaviour involves movement and, consequently, brain activity. But due to the complexity of the nervous system, there is still limited knowledge about how the neuronal networks of the central nervous system interact to generate, modulate, and coordinate motor actions.

Ole Kiehn, professor of integrative neuroscience at the University of Copenhagen, works in his research to understand how the interplay between neuronal networks in the central nervous system leads to movement. Earlier, he uncovered the interaction between the neural circuits in the spinal cord and brainstem that control gait.

In this project, he will move further up into the brain to examine how activity in the brain’s neuronal networks is integrated with commands from the brainstem.

Through experiments in mice, the researchers will investigate a series of complex, context-dependent movements and, using advanced techniques, attempt to understand how integrated activity in the neuronal networks governs these movements — both in healthy mice and in mice with movement disorders resembling Parkinson’s disease.

“We expect that our research will contribute fundamentally new knowledge about how movements are generated, which holds great potential for developing new treatment strategies for people with movement disorders,” says Ole Kiehn.

“Today, for example, motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease are treated with Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS). But due to a lack of cellular specificity, it is not always effective. With new research findings on the organization of the brain’s motor networks, I predict that this treatment can be better targeted and optimized.”

Read more about the granting of this year’s professorships below:

Denmark’s leading neuroscientists receive DKK 140 million for groundbreaking research

The Lundbeck Foundation is now awarding the LF Professorships 2025 to five research projects, all of which have the potential to push...