Degeneration of afferent neurons and long-term stability of the ventilatory central pattern generator in chronically deafferented crabs

1. The effects of chronic deafferentation, 3-180 days, are tested on the function and morphology of the crab (Carcinus maenas) ventilatory central pattern generator (CPGv). Almost all afferent axons are carried in the mixed sensory/motor levator nerve. The ability to speed the CPGv cycle rate by stimulating this nerve (Wilkens and DiCaprio 1994) decreases as the afferent neurons degenerate. Stimulation of the levator nerve eliminates motor units from the output even after 60 days of deafferentation, similar to the effects seen in acute preparations. 2. The 3 oval organ afferent axons of the levator nerve have central somata and survive scaphognathectomy. Impulses carried by these axons are known to inhibit the CPGv in acutely deafferented preparations and they are believed to be responsible for the persistent inhibition following small afferent degeneration seen here. 3. After 6 months of deafferentation the motor neuron collateral arborization densities within the thoracic ganglia are reduced, but all motor neurons appear to survive. These long-term deafferented CPGvs generate accurate motor patterns at similar rates to the control CPGv, but at reduced intraburst spike frequency. The crab CPGv is quite stable following chronic deafferentation.