The Role of Sensory Signals From the Insect Coxa-Trochanteral Joint in Controlling Motor Activity of the Femur-Tibia Joint

2001 ◽  
Vol 85 (2) ◽  
pp. 594-604 ◽  
Author(s):  
Turgay Akay ◽  
Ulrich Bässler ◽  
Petra Gerharz ◽  
Ansgar Büschges
Keyword(s):  
Rhythmic Activity ◽  
Stick Insect ◽  
Active Movement ◽  
Inhibitory Influence ◽  
Locomotor System ◽  
Sensory Signals ◽  
Receptor Organ ◽  
Motoneuron Activity ◽  
Locomotor Patterns

Interjoint coordination in multi-jointed limbs is essential for the generation of functional locomotor patterns. Here we have focused on the role that sensory signals from the coxa-trochanteral (CT) joint play in patterning motoneuronal activity of the femur-tibia (FT) joint in the stick insect middle leg. This question is of interest because when the locomotor system is active, movement signals from the FT joint are known to contribute to patterning of activity of the central rhythm-generating networks governing the CT joint. We investigated the influence of femoral levation and depression on the activity of tibial motoneurons. When the locomotor system was active, levation of the femur often induced a decrease or inactivation of tibial extensor activity while flexor motoneurons were activated. Depression of the femur had no systematic influence on tibial motoneurons. Ablation experiments revealed that this interjoint influence was not mediated by signals from movement and/or position sensitive receptors at the CT joint, i.e., trochanteral hairplate, rhombal hairplate, or internal levator receptor organ. Instead the influence was initiated by sensory signals from a field of campaniform sensillae, situated on the proximal femur (fCS). Selective stimulation of these fCS produced barrages of inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs) in tibial extensor motoneurons and activated tibial flexor motoneurons. During pharmacologically activated rhythmic activity of the otherwise isolated mesothoracic ganglion (pilocarpine, 5 × 10− 4 M), deafferented except for the CT joint, levation of the femur as well had an inhibitory influence on tibial extensor motoneurons. However, the influence of femoral levation on the rhythm generated was rather labile and only sometimes a reset of the rhythm was induced. In none of the preparations could entrainment of rhythmicity by femoral movement be achieved, suggesting that sensory signals from the CT joint only weakly affect central rhythm-generating networks of the FT joint. Finally, we analyzed the role of sensory signals from the fCS during walking by recording motoneuronal activity in the single middle leg preparation with fCS intact and after their removal. These experiments showed that fCS activity plays an important role in generating tibial motoneuron activity during the stance phase of walking.

Role of Proprioceptive Signals From an Insect Femur-Tibia Joint in Patterning Motoneuronal Activity of an Adjacent Leg Joint

1999 ◽  
Vol 81 (4) ◽  
pp. 1856-1865 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dietmar Hess ◽  
Ansgar Büschges
Keyword(s):  
Movement Control ◽  
Stick Insect ◽  
Control Mode ◽  
Chordotonal Organ ◽  
Joint Control ◽  
Muscarinic Agonist ◽  
Behavioral State ◽  
Sensory Signals ◽  
Motoneuron Activity

Role of proprioceptive signals from an insect femur-tibia joint in patterning motoneuronal activity of an adjacent leg joint. Interjoint reflex function of the insect leg contributes to postural control at rest or to movement control during locomotor movements. In the stick insect ( Carausius morosus), we investigated the role that sensory signals from the femoral chordotonal organ (fCO), the transducer of the femur-tibia (FT) joint, play in patterning motoneuronal activity in the adjacent coxa-trochanteral (CT) joint when the joint control networks are in the movement control mode of the active behavioral state. In the active behavioral state, sensory signals from the fCO induced transitions of activity between antagonistic motoneuron pools, i.e., the levator trochanteris and the depressor trochanteris motoneurons. As such, elongation of the fCO, signaling flexion of the FT joint, terminated depressor motoneuron activity and initiated activity in levator motoneurons. Relaxation of the fCO, signaling extension of the FT joint, induced the opposite transition by initiating depressor motoneuron activity and terminating levator motoneuron activity. This interjoint influence of sensory signals from the fCO was independent of the generation of the intrajoint reflex reversal in the FT joint, i.e., the “active reaction,” which is released by elongation signals from the fCO. The generation of these transitions in activity of trochanteral motoneurons barely depended on position or velocity signals from the fCO. This contrasts with the situation in the resting behavioral state when interjoint reflex action markedly depends on actual fCO stimulus parameters, i.e., position and velocity signals. In the active behavioral state, movement signals from the fCO obviously trigger or release centrally generated transitions in motoneuron activity, e.g., by affecting central rhythm generating networks driving trochanteral motoneuron pools. This conclusion was tested by stimulating the fCO in “fictive rhythmic” preparations, activated by the muscarinic agonist pilocarpine in the otherwise isolated and deafferented mesothoracic ganglion. In this situation, sensory signals from the fCO did in fact reset and entrain rhythmic activity in trochanteral motoneurons. The results indicate for the first time that when the stick insect locomotor system is active, sensory signals from the proprioceptor of one leg joint, i.e., the fCO, pattern motor activity in an adjacent leg joint, i.e., the CT joint, by affecting the central rhythm generating network driving the motoneurons of the adjacent joint.

scholarly journals Unravelling intra- and intersegmental neuronal connectivity between central pattern generating networks in a multi-legged locomotor system

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Daun ◽  
Charalampos Mantziaris ◽  
Tibor I. Tóth ◽  
Ansgar Büschges ◽  
Nils Rosjat
Keyword(s):  
Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptor ◽  
Rhythmic Activity ◽  
Stick Insect ◽  
Neuronal Connectivity ◽  
Complex Interplay ◽  
Locomotor System ◽  
Sensory Signals ◽  
Coupling Structure ◽  
Prothoracic Ganglion ◽  
Set Up

AbstractAnimal walking results from a complex interplay of central pattern generating networks (CPGs), local sensory signals expressing position, velocity and forces generated in the legs, and coordinating signals between neighboring ones. In the stick insect, in particular, intra- and intersegmental coordination is conveyed by these sensory signals. The rhythmic activity of the CPGs, hence of the legs, can be modified by the aforementioned sensory signals. However, the precise nature of the interaction between the CPGs and these sensory signals has remained largely unknown. Experimental methods aiming at finding out details of these interactions, often apply the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor agonist, pilocarpine in order to induce rhythmic activity in the CPGs, hence in the motoneurons of the segmental ganglia. Using this general approach, we removed the influence of sensory signals and investigated the putative connections between CPGs associated with the coxa-trochanter (CTr)-joint in the different segments (legs) in more detail. The experimental data underwent phase-difference analysis and Dynamic Causal Modelling (DCM). These methods can uncover the underlying coupling structure and strength between pairs of segmental ganglia (CPGs). We set up different coupling schemes (models) for DCM and compared them using Bayesian Model Selection (BMS). Models with contralateral connections in each segment and ipsilateral connections on both sides, as well as the coupling from the meta- to the ipsilateral prothoracic ganglion were preferred by BMS to all other types of models tested. Moreover, the intrasegmental coupling strength in the mesothoracic ganglion was the strongest and most stable in all three ganglia.

Signals From Load Sensors Underlie Interjoint Coordination During Stepping Movements of the Stick Insect Leg

2004 ◽  
Vol 92 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Turgay Akay ◽  
Sebastian Haehn ◽  
Josef Schmitz ◽  
Ansgar Büschges
Keyword(s):  
Stick Insect ◽  
Swing Phase ◽  
Campaniform Sensilla ◽  
Locomotor System ◽  
Interjoint Coordination ◽  
Stepping Pattern ◽  
Tightly Coupled ◽  
Motoneuron Activity ◽  
Walking Stick ◽  
Stimulation Of

During stance and swing phase of a walking stick insect, the retractor coxae (RetCx) and protractor coxae (ProCx) motoneurons and muscles supplying the thorax-coxa (TC)-joint generate backward and forward movements of the leg. Their activity is tightly coupled to the movement of the more distal leg segments, i.e., femur, tibia, and tarsus. We used the single middle leg preparation to study how this coupling is generated. With only the distal leg segments of the middle leg being free to move, motoneuronal activity of the de-afferented and -efferented TC-joint is similarly coupled to leg stepping. RetCx motoneurons are active during stance and ProCx motoneurons during swing. We studied whether sensory signals are involved in this coordination of TC-joint motoneuronal activity. Ablation of the load measuring campaniform sensilla (CS) revealed that they substantially contribute to the coupling of TC-joint motoneuronal activity to leg stepping. Individually ablating trochanteral and femoral CS revealed the trochanteral CS to be necessary for establishing the coupling between leg stepping and coxal motoneuron activity. When the locomotor system was active and generated alternating bursts of activity in ProCx and RetCx motoneurons, stimulation of the CS by rearward bending of the femur in otherwise de-afferented mesothoracic ganglion terminated ongoing ProCx motoneuronal activity and initiated RetCx motoneuronal activity. We show that cuticular strain signals from the trochanteral CS play a major role in shaping TC-joint motoneuronal activity during walking and contribute to their coordination with the stepping pattern of the distal leg joints. We present a model for the sensory control of timing of motoneuronal activity in walking movements of the single middle leg.

Interjoint Coordination in the Stick Insect Leg-Control System: The Role of Positional Signaling

2003 ◽  
Vol 89 (3) ◽  
pp. 1245-1255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dirk Bucher ◽  
Turgay Akay ◽  
Ralph A. DiCaprio ◽  
Ansgar Büschges
Keyword(s):  
Control System ◽  
Motor Activity ◽  
Joint Angle ◽  
Rhythmic Activity ◽  
Stick Insect ◽  
Spike Rate ◽  
Cycle Period ◽  
Walking Behavior ◽  
Interjoint Coordination

Interjoint coordination is essential for proper walking behavior in multi-jointed insect legs. We have shown previously that movement signals from the femur-tibia (FT) joint can shape motor activity of the adjacent coxa-trochanter (CT) joint in the stick insect, Carausius morosus. Here, we present data on the role of position signals from the FT-joint on activity generated in motoneurons (MNs) of the CT-joint. We show that the probability of occurrence of stance (with depression in the CT-joint) or swing movements (with levation in the CT-joint) at the start of walking sequences is influenced by the angle of the FT-joint in the resting animal. We tested the influence of FT-joint angle on pharmacologically induced rhythmic activity of CT-joint depressor (DprTr) and levator (LevTr) MNs. The burst duration, mean spike rate within bursts, and duty cycle for each MN pool were found to depend on FT position. For LevTr MNs, these parameters progressively increased as the FT-joint was moved from extension to flexion, and the opposite was true for DprTr MNs. The cycle period of CT-MN rhythmicity also depended on FT position. In addition, we sometimes observed that the motor output shifted completely to one MN pool at extreme positions, suggesting that the central rhythm-generating network for the CT-joint became locked in one phase. These results indicate that position signals from the FT-joint modulate rhythmic activity in CT-joint MNs partly by having access to central rhythm generating networks of the CT-joint.

Role of Vaitarana Basti in the management of Gridhrasi w.s.r. to Sciatica

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dr. Suresh N. Hakkandi ◽  
Dr. Manjunath Akki ◽  
Dr. Bhavana KS
Keyword(s):  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Routine Activity ◽  
Daily Routine ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Common Condition ◽  
Locomotor System

Vata Vyadhi is one of the most prevailing health problems in our day today clinical practice, Gridhrasi is one among them. Gridhrasi is Shoola Pradhana Nanatmaja Vatavyadhi, affecting the locomotor system and disable from daily routine activity. Gridhrasi the name itself indicates the way of gait shown by the patient due to extreme pain i.e. like Gridhra or Vulture. Gridhrasi is a condition characterized by Ruk, Toda, Stambha, Spandana in Sphik Pradesha and radiates downwards to Kati, Prusta, Uru, Janu, Jangha and Pada. Gridhrasi can be compared with Sciatica. Pain is the chief cause of person to visit a doctor. Although low back pain is a common condition that affects as many as 80 to 90 percent of people during their lifetime. Gridhrasi can be cured by the help of Vaitarana Basti. Hence in the case study of male patient of age 30 yrs presenting with cardinal clinical sign and symptoms of Gridhrasi are Ruka, Toda and Muhu Spandana in the Sphika, Kati, Uru, Janu, Jangha and Pada in order and Sakthikshepanigraha that is restricted lifting of the leg.

Role of paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei in central cardiovascular regulation in the cat

1980 ◽  
Vol 239 (1) ◽  
pp. R137-R142 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Ciriello ◽  
F. R. Calaresu
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Cardiovascular Responses ◽  
Inhibitory Influence ◽  
Sympathetic Nervous Systems ◽  
Aortic Depressor Nerve ◽  
Bilateral Lesions ◽  
Alpha Chloralose ◽  
Supraoptic Nuclei ◽  
Stimulation Of

To investigate the role of the paraventricular (PAH) and supraoptic (SON) nuclei in regulation of the cardiovascular system experiments were done in 26 cats anesthetized with alpha-chloralose, paralyzed, and artificially ventilated. Electrical stimulation of histologically verified sites in the region of the PAH and SON elicited increases in arterial pressure in bilaterally vagotomized animals and increases in heart rate both in spinal (C2) animals and in animals bilaterally vagotomized, In addition, stimulation of either the PAH or SON inhibited the reflex vagal bradycardia elicited by stimulation of the carotid sinus nerve (CSN) and bilateral lesions of these areas increased the magnitude of the response. On the other hand, stimulation and lesions of these hypothalamic regions did not alter the magnitude of the cardiovascular responses to stimulation of the aortic depressor nerve. These results demonstrate that stimulation of the PAH and SON elicit cardiovascular responses due to reciprocal changes in activity of the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems and that these structures maintain a tonic inhibitory influence on the heart rate component of the CSN reflex.

Nucleus tractus solitarius and control of blood pressure in chronic sinoaortic denervated rats

1992 ◽  
Vol 263 (2) ◽  
pp. R258-R266 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. M. Schreihofer ◽  
A. F. Sved
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Plasma Levels ◽  
Nucleus Tractus Solitarius ◽  
Inhibitory Influence ◽  
Baroreceptor Reflexes ◽  
Alpha Chloralose ◽  
And Control ◽  
Bilateral Destruction ◽  
Conscious Control

To determine the role of the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) in the tonic maintenance of arterial pressure (AP) following chronic baroreceptor denervation, the present study examined the effect of inhibition of the NTS on AP in chronic sinoaortic denervated (SAD) and control rats. One to two weeks after complete SAD (no residual arterial baroreceptor reflexes) mean AP was not significantly different from that of control rats. Bilateral microinjections of muscimol and lidocaine into the NTS markedly increased AP in alpha-chloralose-anesthetized control rats. However, microinjections of these neuroinhibitory drugs had no effect on AP in SAD rats. Similarly, 1 h after bilateral destruction of the NTS conscious control rats were hypertensive, while AP in SAD rats was not changed. Plasma levels of vasopressin (VP), which were also elevated in control rats 1 h after NTS lesions, were not significantly altered in SAD rats. These results demonstrate that inhibition of the NTS has no effect on AP or plasma levels of VP in chronic SAD rats. This suggests neither the NTS nor afferents to the NTS supply a tonic inhibitory influence on AP after chronic baroreceptor denervation.

The aminergic and peptidergic innervation of insect salivary glands

1997 ◽  
Vol 200 (14) ◽  
pp. 1941-1949 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Ali
Keyword(s):  
Salivary Gland ◽  
Salivary Glands ◽  
Physiological Role ◽  
Salivary Secretion ◽  
Stick Insect ◽  
Stomatogastric Nervous System ◽  
Related Family ◽  
Aminergic Innervation ◽  
Peptidergic Innervation

Insect salivary glands are glands associated with nutrient intake whose secretions are generally involved in the digestion and lubrication of food. They are under the control of neuroactive substances and may be innervated from several sources including the suboesophageal ganglion, the stomatogastric nervous system and the unpaired median nerves. Both amines and peptides have been suggested to play roles in the control of insect salivation, as indicated by their association with terminals on salivary glands, their effects in salivary gland bioassays and their ability to alter second messenger levels and ion channel conformations. Serotonin and dopamine appear to be the most prominent amines associated with insect salivary glands. Either one or both of these amines are found associated with the salivary glands of the locust, stick insect, cockroach, cricket, dragonfly, mosquito, adult moth and kissing bug. Their roles, although not fully elucidated, appear to be in the control of salivary secretion. Several peptides, including members of the FMRFamide-related family of peptides, are also found associated with insect salivary glands. Sources of peptidergic innervation are as varied as those for aminergic innervation, but information regarding the physiological role of these peptides is lacking. The relevance of the different levels of complexity of salivary gland innervation, which range from the absence of innervation in some species (blowfly) to the presence of several distinct sources in others (locust, cockroach), is not well understood. This review serves to consolidate what is known of the phenotype of salivary neurones in relation to the control of salivation.

Intersegmental reflex coordination by a single joint receptor organ (CB) in rock lobster walking legs

1978 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-46
Author(s):  
F. Clarac ◽  
J. P. Vedel ◽  
B. M. Bush
Keyword(s):  
Motor Units ◽  
Chordotonal Organ ◽  
Extensor Muscles ◽  
Decapod Crustacea ◽  
Complex Motor ◽  
Complex Picture ◽  
Receptor Organ ◽  
Proprioceptive Reflex ◽  
Length Changes

In the decapod Crustacea, Palinurus vulgaris and Fasus lalandii, the reflex influences of one particular proprioceptor organ, the coxo-basal chordotonal organ (CB), on all the muscles operating the proximal and distal joints of the same leg, have been analysed. The distal end of CB was clamped in fine forceps mounted on a servo-controlled stretcher, and CB length changes of 2 mm were applied. Motor unit activity of the different muscles was recorded as electromyograms (EMGs). 1. Two types of proprioceptive reflex evoked by CB length changes have been investigated: (a) resistance reflexes of the two levator and two depressor muscles of the same leg segment, the coxopodite, i.e. ‘intrasegmental reflexes’, (b) ‘intersegmental reflexes’ induced in the muscles operating the proximal (T-C) joint of the same leg, and in all eight muscles of the limb segments distat to CB. 2. Both levator muscles respond reflexly to imposed CB stretch (which normally occurs with limb ‘depression’), while both depressors respond during CB shortening (or passive “elevation” of the leg). 3. Intersegmentally CB stretch reflexly activates the M-C extensor muscle, and sometimes facilitates the T-C remotor and C-P bender muscles. Shortening of the single CB organ of a leg excites one or two tonic motor units of the T-C promotor and M-C flexor muscles, and also facilitates the remotor, I-M reductor, and the single stretcher-opener excitatory motoneurone. 4. Some of the muscles, particularly the M-C flexor and extensor muscles, are also influenced intersegmentally by the resting length of CB, usually but not invariably in the same direction as for the corresponding dynamic reflexes. The role of the CB chordotonal organ is discussed, with particular consideration of its intersegmental reflex influence on the posture of the entire leg, and on the more complex motor behaviour of locomotion, where it may be specially significant in coordination of the limb in lateral walking. A complex picture of both tonic and dynamic, inra- and intersegmental reflex regulation of the positions and movements of the limb segments, thus emerges.

Sensory Control and Organization of Neural Networks Mediating Coordination of Multisegmental Organs for Locomotion

2005 ◽  
Vol 93 (3) ◽  
pp. 1127-1135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ansgar Büschges
Keyword(s):  
Neural Networks ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Sensory Neurons ◽  
Sensory Feedback ◽  
Stick Insect ◽  
Sensory Control ◽  
Recent Advances ◽  
New Findings ◽  
Local Feedback ◽  
Locomotor Patterns

It is well established that locomotor patterns result from the interaction between central pattern generating networks in the nervous system, local feedback from sensory neurons about movements and forces generated in the locomotor organs, and coordinating signals from neighboring segments or appendages. This review addresses the issue of how the movements of multi-segmented locomotor organs are coordinated and provides an overview of recent advances in understanding sensory control and the internal organization of central pattern generating networks that operate multi-segmented locomotor organs, such as a walking leg. Findings from the stick insect and the cat are compared and discussed in relation to new findings on the lamprey swimming network. These findings support the notion that common schemes of sensory feedback are used for generating walking and that central neural networks controlling multi-segmented locomotor organs generally encompass multiple central pattern generating networks that correspond with the segmental structure of the locomotor organ.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document