MOTOR SYSTEMS COMPARATIVE STUDY

目前的建议描述了一系列的行为，解剖 和神经组织化学实验，旨在评估 神经系统控制爬行动物的运动， 凯门鳄 鳄鱼凯门鳄被选为动物 因为爬行动物的运动系统比这简单 哺乳动物。 没有直接等同于哺乳动物的马达 皮质存在于爬行动物中，但精确的运动和 然而，协调是行为的一部分， 这些物种。 初步研究表明，两个神经系统， 来自古纹状体或基底神经节的神经元参与了 对复杂运动的控制 中的第一 这些来自苍白球，表达运动 主要通过视顶盖发挥作用。 另一种是源自 腹侧苍白球的神经元和项目的部分， 网状结构传入运动神经元池，如 三叉神经运动核 运动行为的新理论 认为离苍白球通路 控制取向和tectally介导的行为，而 来自腹侧苍白球控制精度的途径 运动，特别是下颚和嘴部区域。 这些 系统在解剖学和化学上是不同的。 离苍白的 神经元利用LANT6和GABA作为神经递质， 腹侧苍白球区含有许多胆碱能神经元。 提出实验来检验假设，并进一步 评估化学，解剖学和行为相关性， 两个系统。

The present proposal describes a series of behavioral, anatomical and neurohistochemical experiments designed to evaluate the neural systems underlying the control of movement in the reptile, Caiman crocodilus. Caiman crocodilus was selected as an animal model because the motor system of reptiles is simpler than that of mammals. No direct equivalent of the mammalian motor cortex is present in reptiles, yet precision movement and coordination are nevertheless part of the behavioral repertoire of these species. Pilot work indicates that two neural systems, both derived from the paleostriatum, or basal ganglia, are involved in the control of complex movement in this species. The first of these is derived from the globus pallidus and expresses motor functions largely via the optic tectum. The other is derived from neurons in the ventral pallidum and projects upon portions of the reticular formation afferent to motor neuron pools such as the trigeminal motor nucleus. A new theory of motor behavior in reptiles is advanced which holds that pallidofugal pathways control orientation and tectally mediated behaviors, while the pathways derived from the ventral pallidum control precision movement, particularly of the jaws and mouth region. These systems are anatomically and chemically distinct. Pallidofugal neurons utilize LANT6 and GABA as neurotransmitters while the ventral pallidal region contains many cholinergic neurons. Experiments are proposed to test hypotheses and to further evaluate the chemical, anatomical and behavioral correlates of both systems.