HIGASHIJIMA, S.; MANDEL, G.; FETCHO, J. R.; SUNY Stony Brook; SUNY Stony Brook; SUNY Stony Brook: Optical and genetic studies of neuronal networks for movement II Genetic tools available for zebrafish offer many advantages for the study of neuronal circuitry. By injecting a DNA construct coding for green fluorescent protein (GFP) into one-cell stage embryos, […]

FETCHO, J.R.; HIGASHIJIMA, S.; SUNY Stony Brook; SUNY Stony Brook: Optical and genetic studies of neuronal networks for movement I Understanding the neuronal basis of behavior typically requires monitoring activity of the relevant neurons during behavior, working out the wiring diagrams of the circuits for the behavior of interest, and then perturbing the system to […]

MERRYWEST, S.D.; SILLAR, K.T.; University of St Andrews: Noradrenergic control of cell properties and synaptic transmission during motor pattern generation. In vertebrates, the amine noradrenaline (NA) can initiate, sustain and modulate rhythmic motor activity. We have examined the noradrenergic modulation of sensory inputs and resulting motor outputs in the intact CNS of Xenopus laevis tadpoles. […]

ATWOOD, Harold L.; University of Toronto: Neuromuscular Junctions and Motor Neurons of Arthropods Motor neurons of arthropods present combinations of physiological and morphological properties which endow them with unique performance abilities. Within genetically specified limits, adaptive modification of their properties can occur both during development and after maturation. Extreme differences in neuromuscular performance are found […]

SILLAR, K.T.; MERRYWEST, S.D.; MCLEAN, D.L.; University of St Andrews: Neuromodulation of developing spinal motor networks Following their initial assembly, the spinal cord networks controlling rhythmic motor behaviours are subject to neuromodulation by various descending brainstem pathways. These pathways are also involved in the maturation process that occurs in central locomotor networks after birth or […]

ROBERTSON, R.M.; Queen’s University, Kingston: Modulation of neural circuit operation by prior environmental stress Many organisms are exposed to harsh environmental conditions that may impair the operation of vital neuronal circuits, such as those controlling locomotion and ventilation, and imperil the animal before these conditions directly cause cell and tissue death. Prior exposure to extreme […]

PIRTLE, T.J.*; SATTERLIE, R.A.; Arizona State University; Arizona State University: Modulation of Swimming Speed in Clione Limacina An animal must modify its behavior to a changing environment. Neuromodulatory mechanisms intrinsic to the nervous system shape the cellular properties of neurons to ultimately adjust behavior. Modulation of neurons comprising the swim system of the pteropod mollusk, […]

SATTERLIE, RA; PIRTLE, TJ; Arizona State University; Arizona State University: Mechanisms of Swim Acceleration in the Pteropod Mollusc Clione limacina The pteropod mollusk, Clione limacina, swims by rhythmic dorsal-ventral flexion of a pair of wing-like parapodia. Usually, Clione swim slowly and continuously upward to maintain a stable position in the water column. Variability in locomotor […]

KLOSE, M.K.*; ROBERTSON, R.M.; Queen’s University: Heat Shock-Mediated Thermoprotection of Insect Neuromuscular Junctions Protection of cells and circuits from the deleterious effects of various environmental stresses can be induced after a brief initial stressful insult such as a heat shock or anoxic shock. The goal of this project is to understand the mechanisms involved in […]

MILLAR, A.G.; ZUCKER, R.S.; CHARLTON, M.P.; ATWOOD, H.L.; University of Toronto; University of California, Berkeley; University of Toronto; University of Toronto: Cellular Mechanisms of Synaptic Differentiation in Crustacean Motor Neurons We are examining mechanisms governing transmitter release efficacy at two vastly different crustacean motor neurons. Phasic nerve terminals release 100-1000 fold transmitter per action potential […]