Monitoring of neuroactive factors released from a pattern-generating network

To detect neuroactive factors in biological fluids, we have previously elaborated a moveable biosensor, the preparation of isolated neuron penetrated with recording microelectrode. Here, we report that, in the pond snail, signals emanated from a central pattern generator (CPG) for feeding and detected by such biosensor correspond to long-term changes in motor output of the CPG as recorded from buccal nerves. The results suggest that combined recording from motor nerves, neurons in situ and the neuron-based biosensors may be a useful tool in studies of the mechanisms underlying network organisation.