Generation of Metachronal Motor Patterns in Segmental Nervous Systems

复杂综合运动的协调是 神经系统面临的最具挑战性的任务。 一个 实验方法已被证明是非常富有成效的是研究 简单的模型系统。 小龙虾的神经系统 可以识别出有限数量的神经元， 游泳行为 穆罗尼博士一直是这项研究的先驱 这个神经系统。 在NSF的支持下，他发现 每一个独立肢体的运动都是由一个专门的 这条肢体特有的神经元回路 肢体协调 运动是由中间神经元的独立回路控制的。 这是我们对运动控制理解的一个重大进步。 随着这项资助的更新，Mulloney博士将能够 描述这些局部回路的突触组织， 确定正常协调所需的属性。 他 还将描述输入的细胞机制， 从更高的中心下降可以改变这些状态 调节游泳速度和方向的局部电路。 的 研究结果在机器人设计中具有广泛的应用价值 运动系统 已识别的分布式控制类型 在这个系统中，正在成为一个普遍的原则， 多附肢系统中的运动指导。*//

The coordination of complex integrated movements is one of the most challenging tasks that faces the nervous system. An experimental approach that has proved very fruitful is the study of simple model systems. Crayfish have nervous systems where it is possible to identify a limited number of neurons that control swimming behavior. Dr. Mulloney has been a pioneer in the study of this nervous system. With NSF support he has found that the movement of each separate limb is driven by a specialized local circuit of neurons specific for that limb. Coordination of limb movements is controlled by a separate circuit of interneurons. This is a major advance in our understanding of movement control. With the renewal of this grant, Dr. Mulloney will be able to describe the synaptic organization of these local circuits and identify the properties necessary for normal coordination. He will also describe the cellular mechanisms by which inputs descending from higher centers can change the state of these local circuits to modulate swimming rate and direction. The results will have broad applications in the design of robot locomotion systems. The type of distributed control identified in this system is emerging as a general principle for the guidance of locomotion in multi-appendage systems.***//