Local processing of auditory information in the thorax of Ensifera

声学信号通常分析载波频率，时间模式和声音方向，以选择适当的行为，如逃跑运动或接近潜在的交配伙伴。许多直翅目昆虫利用声音信号进行种内交流。对于一些种类的Ensifera（蟋蟀，Katydids和盟友）相关的神经元活动的行为已经确定。这些数据几乎完全来自节间中间神经元，其连接前胸神经节（来自耳的感觉神经元的终止位点）与大脑。鲜为人知的是，当地的处理在前胸神经节的Ensifera，即使intersegmented interneurons的反应曲线显示出多种迹象的重要prothoracic处理。唯一的例外是由一个大的神经元（ω神经元）处理方向信息。目前的项目旨在了解行为相关的时间模式处理和载波频率处理的前胸神经节的？对于这两个参数，抑制已被证明在塑造神经元特性中发挥重要作用。引起这些抑制的局部神经元没有被识别。通过记录小的局部神经元，它们的形态和生理特性将被描述。通过药理学阻断剂和免疫组化分析染色神经元的神经节消除抑制，这些元素（主要）抑制性处理的贡献将得到阐明。通过在从潜在的突触后元件记录期间局部神经元的光失活，可以显示单个局部神经元对突触后细胞的响应特性的贡献。总而言之，我们希望揭示在这个局部网络中声音模式和载波频率处理的潜在机制。

Acoustic signals usually are analyzed regarding carrier frequency, temporal pattern and sound direction for choosing appropriate behaviors like escape movements or approach to a potential mating partner. Many Orthoptera use acoustic signaling for intraspecific communication. For a few species of Ensifera (crickets, katydids and allies) correlates of neuronal activity to behavior have been identified. These data come nearly exclusively from intersegmental interneurons, which connect the prothoracic ganglion (site of termination of sensory neurons from the ear) with the brain. Little is known about local processing in the prothoracic ganglion of Ensifera, even though response profiles of intersegmental interneurons show manifold indications of important prothoracic processing. The only exception to this is processing of directional information by one large neuron, the omega-neuron. The current project aims at understanding behaviourally relevant temporal pattern processing and carrier frequency processing in the prothoracic ganglion of katydids. For both parameters inhibitions have been shown to play a major role in shaping neuronal properties. The local neurons evoking these inhibitions are not identified. By recording from small local neurons their morphological and physiological properties will be described. By eliminating inhibition by means of pharmacological blockers and immunohistochemical analysis of ganglia with stained neurons the contribution of these elements to (mainly) inhibitory processing will be elucidated. By photo-inactivation of a local neuron during recording from a potential postsynaptic element the contribution of single local neurons to response properties of postsynaptic cells can be shown. All in all, we want to reveal the underlying mechanisms of sound pattern and carrier frequency processing in this local network.