CRCNS: An Integrated Locomotion Model for Lamprey Swimming

描述（由申请人提供）：运动是神经输出作用于肌肉的产物，在不可预测的环境中驱动机械复杂的身体。七鳃鳗是一种简单的、经过充分研究的、相对容易处理的脊椎动物模型，可以用来探索这种神经机械系统。我们假设在一个可预测的环境中，稳定的运动只需要中央模式发生器（CPG），而不需要其他输入。我们还假设，在不可预测的环境中，与强节间耦合相结合的感觉反馈是必要的。为了研究这些假设，我们将与来自伦敦的塞尔玛·威廉姆斯以及普林斯顿大学的研究人员菲利普·霍姆斯和亚历山大·斯米茨一起开发一个综合模型，即七鳃鳗游泳的LAMPREYCOMP。该模型涵盖CPG、感觉反馈、肌肉力学、身体力学和流体力学，是脊椎动物复杂行为的完整模型，尽管是一个简单的模型。Cohen及其同事将对CPG及其对来自脊髓机械感受器、皮肤和侧线的感觉反馈的反应进行实验研究，并将开发LAMPREYCOMP的组成部分，将感觉输入映射到运动神经输出。肌肉和身体力学方面的工作将由霍姆斯和威廉姆斯完成。Smits和Holmes将从实验和理论两方面研究游泳动物的流体力学。实验工作将包括开发一种机械模拟装置P-RAY，它的运动将被调整以重现活体动物的运动，从而可以测量流体运动和身体上的压力变化。理论工作将包括与C. Peskin， L. Fauci及其同事协商开发LAMPREYCOMP的流体动力学组件。LAMPREYCOMP将进行测试，以确保它再现整个动物游泳，各种还原制剂和P-RAY的行为。然后，它将被用于研究操作的效果，例如从实验上不可能的脊髓机械感受器中去除感觉反馈。我们还展示了协议的所有组件都是可能的。因为七鳃鳗是所有脊椎动物运动的模型系统，我们的假设和模型将对更高级的生物有广泛的影响，在这些生物中，这种完整的方法目前是不可行的。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Locomotion is the product of neural output acting on muscles driving a mechanically complex body in an unpredictable environment. The lamprey is a simple, well-studied and relatively tractable vertebrate model with which to probe this neuromechanical system. We hypothesize that steady locomotion in a predictable environment requires only the central pattern generator (CPG) without the necessity of other input. We also hypothesize that in an unpredictable environment sensory feedback combined with strong intersegmental coupling is necessary. To investigate these hypotheses we will develop an integrated model, of lamprey swimming LAMPREYCOMP with Thelma Williams, from London, and researchers Philip Holmes and Alexander Smits from Princeton University. The model spans CPG, sensory feedback, muscle mechanics, body mechanics, and fluid mechanics, and is a full model of a complex behavior in a vertebrate, albeit a simple one. Cohen and colleagues will perform experimental studies of the CPG and its response to sensory feedback from spinal mechanoreceptors, skin and lateral line and will develop the component of LAMPREYCOMP that maps sensory input to motor nerve output. Work on muscle and body mechanics will be done by Holmes and Williams. Smits and Holmes will study the fluid mechanics of the swimming animals both experimentally and theoretically. The experimental work will include developing a mechanical analog, P-RAY, whose motion will be adjusted to reproduce that of live animals, allowing measurements of fluid motion and pressure variations along the body. The theoretical work will include developing the fluid dynamical component of LAMPREYCOMP, in consultation with C. Peskin, L. Fauci and colleagues. LAMPREYCOMP will be tested to insure that it reproduces the behavior of whole animal swimming, various reduced preparations and P-RAY. It will then be used to investigate the effect of manipulations, such as removing sensory feedback from spinal mechanoreceptors that are not experimentally possible. We also show that all components of the protocol are possible. Because the lamprey is a model system for all of vertebrate locomotion, our hypotheses and models will have broad implications for more advanced organisms in which such a complete approach is not presently feasible.