Convergent inputs to Octopus oculomotor neurones demonstrated in a brain slice preparation

A brain slice preparation was developed to permit recordings to be made from neurones in the anterior lateral pedal lobe of the octopus CNS. These are the first intracellular recordings obtained from identified neurones in the cephalopod CNS. The neurones had membrane resting potentials of around -40 mV and action potentials up to 20 mV in amplitude. Spontaneous synaptic potentials could be seen in some cells. All of the oculomotor neurones, identified by stimulation of the anterior oculomotor nerve to evoke an antidromic potential, received an excitatory input from the visual system, shown by electrical stimulation of the optic tract, and some also received an excitatory input from the statocyst, as shown by electrical stimulation of the macula nerve.