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Related Experiment Videos

Phase relationships between segmentally organized oscillators in the leech heartbeat pattern generating network.

Mark A Masino1, Ronald L Calabrese

  • 1Biology Department, Emory University, 1510 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.

Journal of Neurophysiology
|March 6, 2002
PubMed
Summary

The leech heartbeat central pattern generator uses coupled segmental oscillators. Asymmetric inhibition between interneurons in ganglia 3 and 4 influences coordinating neuron phase, with intrinsic properties likely determining phase differences.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Computational Neuroscience
  • Systems Neuroscience

Background:

  • Motor pattern generation often involves coupled segmental oscillators.
  • The leech heartbeat central pattern generator (CPG) relies on a core timing network in ganglia 3 and 4.
  • This network comprises mutually inhibitory oscillator interneurons and coordinating interneurons.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the functional synaptic interactions, activity, and phase relationships of heart interneurons within the leech CPG timing network.
  • To understand the coordination of segmental motor outflow by this pattern generator.

Main Methods:

  • Studied isolated nerve cord preparations of the leech.
  • Characterized spike initiation sites and activity patterns of coordinating interneurons in ganglia 3 and 4.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Analyzed the inhibitory effects of oscillator interneurons on coordinating interneurons.

    • Main Results:

    • Most coordinating interneuron action potentials originated from a primary spike initiation site in ganglion 4 (G4), with a secondary site in ganglion 3 (G3) active when G4 was silent.
    • Oscillator interneurons in G3 inhibited both sites, while G4 oscillator interneurons selectively inhibited the G4 site.
    • Phase coupling of coordinating interneurons was stronger with G3 oscillator interneurons, and phase differences varied across preparations.

    Conclusions:

    • Asymmetric inhibition by oscillator interneurons contributes to the phase relationship between coordinating interneurons and segmental oscillators.
    • Variability in phase differences suggests that modulated intrinsic membrane and synaptic properties, not just connection patterns, are key to determining phase within the timing network.