Feeding neural networks in the mollusc Aplysia.

Full Abstract

Aplysia feeding is striking in that it is executed with a great deal of plasticity. At least in part, this flexibility is a result of the organization of the feeding neural network. To illustrate this, we primarily discuss motor programs triggered via stimulation of the command-like cerebral-buccal interneuron 2 (CBI-2). CBI-2 is interesting in that it can generate motor programs that serve opposing functions, i.e., programs can be ingestive or egestive. When programs are egestive, radula-closing motor neurons are activated during the protraction phase of the motor program. When programs are ingestive, radula-closing motor neurons are activated during retraction. When motor programs change in nature, activity in the radula-closing circuitry is altered. Thus, CBI-2 stimulation stereotypically activates the protraction and retraction circuitry, with protraction being generated first, and retraction immediately thereafter. In contrast, radula-closing motor neurons can be activated during either protraction or retraction. Which will occur is determined by whether other cerebral and buccal neurons are recruited, e.g. radula-closing motor neurons tend to be activated during retraction if a second CBI, CBI-3, is recruited. Fundamentally different motor programs are, therefore, generated because CBI-2 activates some interneurons in a stereotypic manner and other interneurons in a variable manner. Copyright 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel

Author information

Author/s: Cropper, Elizabeth C (EC); Evans, Colin G (CG); Hurwitz, Itay (I); Jing, Jian (J); Proekt, Alex (A); Romero, Adarli (A); Rosen, Steven C (SC);

Affiliation: Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY 10029, USA. elizabeth.cropper(-atsign-)mssm.edu

Grants: K02 MH01267 (Agency:NIMH NIH HHS) ; MH35564 (Agency:NIMH NIH HHS) ; MH51393 (Agency:NIMH NIH HHS) ; RR-10294 (Agency:NCRR NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.; Review

Journal: Neuro-Signals (Neurosignals), published in Switzerland. (Language: eng)

Reference: -2004 Jan-Apr; vol 13 (issue 1-2) : pp 70-86

Dates: Created 2004/03/08; Completed 2004/05/17; Revised 2008/11/21;

PMID: 15004426, status: MEDLINE (last retrieved date: 2/18/2009)

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