Neural Control of Locomotory Speed Changes in a Mollusk

该项目包括对翼足类软体动物Clionelimacina两种运动速度变化的电生理学研究。Clione既表现出类似于高等动物步态变化的剧烈速度变化，也表现出更微妙的速度变化，相当于单一步态中的速度变化。 由于克隆的神经系统相对简单，我们可以在高等动物不允许的水平上研究这些速度变化。 这个模型系统应该提供背景信息的重组中枢回路在节律运动系统，允许增加的频率和强度ofocomptory运动。 我们将使用各种技术，包括识别神经元的电生理记录，运动肌肉组织的力记录和免疫组织化学识别释放血清素的神经元，血清素是一种主要的调节剂，可以不同地触发Clione中两种类型的速度变化。这种类型的基础研究揭示了节奏行为在电路和细胞水平上是如何组织的“规则”，以及这些行为的可变性是如何通过各种类型的感官输入实现的。 这些规律可用于研究更高级、更复杂的动物的节律行为。 此外，对简单模型运动系统的研究为机器人技术和计算机辅助肌肉刺激领域提供了有用的信息。

The proposed project involves an electrophysiological investigation of twotypes of locomotory speed changes in the pteropod mollusk Clione limacina.Clione exhibits both a dramatic speed change, analogous to a gait change inhigher animals, and a more subtle speed change, equivalent to a change inspeed within a single gait. Since the nervous system of Clione isrelatively simple, we can investigate these speed changes at a level notallowed in higher animals. This model system should provide backgroundinformation on the reorganization of central circuitry in rhythmiclocomotory systems that allows increases in the frequency and strength oflocomotory movements. We will use a variety of techniques, includingelectrophysiological recordings of identified neurons, force recordingsfrom the locomotory musculature and immunohistochemical identification ofneurons that release serotonin, a prime modulator that differentiallytriggers the two types of speed changes in Clione. Basic research of this type uncovers "rules" of how rhythmic behaviors areorganized at the circuit and cellular levels, and how variability in thesebehaviors is achieved by various types of sensory inputs. These rules canbe used in investigations of rhythmic behaviors in higher, more complexanimals. In addition, investigation of simple model locomotory systemsprovides useful information for the fields of robotics andcomputer-assisted muscle stimulation in para- and quadriplegics.