Neuronal control of walking: studies on insects

e-Neuroforum ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ansgar Büschges ◽  
Joachim Schmidt
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Sensory Input ◽  
Central Pattern Generators ◽  
Movement Direction ◽  
Coordination Pattern ◽  
Differential Processing ◽  
Neuronal Control ◽  
Pattern Generators ◽  
Leg Movements

AbstractThe control of walking in insects is to a substantial amount a function of neuronal networks in the thoracic ganglia. While descending signals from head ganglia provide general commands such as for walking direction and velocity, it is the thoracic central nervous system that controls movements of individual joints and legs. The coordination pattern of legs is velocity dependent. However, a clear stereotypic coordination pattern appears only at high velocities. In accordance with the unit burst oscillator concept, oscillatory networks (central pattern generators (CPGs)) interlocked with movement and load sensors control the timing and amplitude of joint movements. For a leg’s movements different joint CPGs of a leg are mainly coupled by proprioceptors. Differential processing of proprioceptive signals allows a task specific modulation of leg movements, for example, for changing movement direction. A switch between walking and searching movements of a leg is under local control. When stepping into a gap missing sensory input and the activation of a local command neuron evokes stereotypic searching movements of the leg.

The Co-Ordination of Insect Movements

1957 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 306-333
Author(s):  
G. M. HUGHES
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
The Body ◽  
The Other ◽  
Limb Amputation ◽  
Normal Movement ◽  
Thoracic Ganglia ◽  
Blatta Orientalis ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Leg Movements

I. The effects of limb amputation and the cutting of commissures on the movements of the cockroach Blatta orientalis have been investigated with the aid of cinematography. Detailed analyses of changes in posture and rhythm of leg movements are given. 2. It is shown that quite marked changes occur following the amputation of a single leg or the cutting of a single commissure between the thoracic ganglia. 3. Changes following the amputation of a single leg are immediate and are such that the support normally provided by the missing leg is taken over by the two remaining legs on that side. Compensatory movements are also found in the contralateral legs. 4. When two legs of opposite sides are amputated it has been confirmed that the diagonal sequence tends to be adopted, but this is not invariably true. Besides alterations in the rhythm which this may involve, there are again adaptive modifications in the movements of the limbs with respect to the body. 5. When both comrnissures between the meso- and metathoracic ganglia are cut, the hind pair of legs fall out of rhythm with the other four legs. The observations on the effects of cutting commissures stress the importance of intersegmental pathways in co-ordination. 6. It is shown that all modifications following the amputation of legs may be related to the altered mechanical conditions. Some of the important factors involved in normal co-ordination are discussed, and it is suggested that the altered movements would be produced by the operation of these factors under the new conditions. It is concluded that the sensory inflow to the central nervous system is of major importance in the co-ordination of normal movement.

Intersegmental Coordination of Walking Movements in Stick Insects

2005 ◽  
Vol 93 (3) ◽  
pp. 1255-1265 ◽  
Author(s):  
Björn Ch. Ludwar ◽  
Marie L. Göritz ◽  
Joachim Schmidt
Keyword(s):  
Motor Pattern ◽  
Central Pattern Generators ◽  
Stick Insect ◽  
Neural Mechanisms ◽  
Chordotonal Organ ◽  
Adjacent Segment ◽  
Body Segments ◽  
Stick Insects ◽  
Pattern Generators ◽  
Leg Movements

Locomotion requires the coordination of movements across body segments, which in walking animals is expressed as gaits. We studied the underlying neural mechanisms of this coordination in a semi-intact walking preparation of the stick insect Carausius morosus. During walking of a single front leg on a treadmill, leg motoneuron (MN) activity tonically increased and became rhythmically modulated in the ipsilateral deafferented and deefferented mesothoracic (middle leg) ganglion. The pattern of modulation was correlated with the front leg cycle and specific for a given MN pool, although it was not consistent with functional leg movements for all MN pools. In an isolated preparation of a pair of ganglia, where one ganglion was made rhythmically active by application of pilocarpine, we found no evidence for coupling between segmental central pattern generators (CPGs) that could account for the modulation of MN activity observed in the semi-intact walking preparation. However, a third preparation provided evidence that signals from the front leg's femoral chordotonal organ (fCO) influenced activity of ipsilateral MNs in the adjacent mesothoracic ganglion. These intersegmental signals could be partially responsible for the observed MN activity modulation during front leg walking. While afferent signals from a single walking front leg modulate the activity of MNs in the adjacent segment, additional afferent signals, local or from contralateral or posterior legs, might be necessary to produce the functional motor pattern observed in freely walking animals.

scholarly journals Mechanical loading of a long bone induces plasticity in sensory input to the central nervous system

2009 ◽  
Vol 463 (3) ◽  
pp. 254-257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiang Wu ◽  
Susannah J. Sample ◽  
Theresa A. Baker ◽  
Cathy F. Thomas ◽  
Mary Behan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Mechanical Loading ◽  
Sensory Input ◽  
Long Bone ◽  
The Central Nervous System

AIRFLOW SENSORS IN THE AVIAN WING

1993 ◽  
Vol 179 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. E. Brown ◽  
M. R. Fedde
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Sensory Input ◽  
Separation Point ◽  
Discharge Frequency ◽  
Airflow Velocity ◽  
Discharge Characteristics ◽  
Distal Half ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Stimulation Of

Mechanoreceptors on or near feather follicles in the wings of birds may provide information about airflow over the wing. We studied discharge characteristics of rapidly and slowly adapting mechanoreceptors associated with propatagial covert feathers, slowly adapting receptors within the alular joint and vibration-sensitive receptors of filoplume follicles attached to the follicles of secondary flight feathers during manual feather movements and during airflow over the wing. Dorsal elevation of covert feathers produced an increase in discharge frequency related to the angle of elevation. Extension of the alula produced an increase in discharge frequency related to the angle of extension. Stimulation of receptors located on the distal half of the follicles of secondary flight feathers by airflow over the wing produced a continuous discharge whose frequency correlated with airflow velocity. There is thus abundant sensory input from the wing to the central nervous system. We conclude that birds have the necessary sensor-feather mechanisms in the wing (1) to detect an imminent stall and the location of the separation point of the airflow from the wing's surface, and (2) to measure airspeed by detecting the frequency of vibration of the secondary flight feathers.

The significance of palpation by the maxillary palps of Locusta migratoria (L): an electrophysiological and behavioural study

1975 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
pp. 701-712
Author(s):  
W. M. Blaney ◽  
A. M. Duckett
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Sensory Input ◽  
Locusta Migratoria ◽  
Behavioural Study ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Maxillary Palps

Palpation increases the amount of sensory input reaching the central nervous system compared with that obtained from sustained contact but that increase is not essential to allow discrimination. During a meal on favoured food, phagostimulatory input from the palps is not needed to drive feeding. When less favoured food is taken, phagostimulatory input from the palps may enhance feeding. Even with favoured food, the palps are important in registering inhibitory substances.

FMRFamide-like peptides in the crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) stomatogastric nervous system: distribution and effects on the pyloric motor pattern.

1997 ◽  
Vol 200 (24) ◽  
pp. 3221-3233 ◽  
Author(s):  
A J Tierney ◽  
J Blanck ◽  
J Mercier
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Procambarus Clarkii ◽  
Motor Pattern ◽  
Central Pattern Generators ◽  
Projection Neurons ◽  
Inhibitory Effects ◽  
Stomatogastric Nervous System ◽  
Whole Mount ◽  
Cycling Frequency ◽  
Pattern Generators

Whole-mount immunocytochemistry was used to map the location of FMRFamide-like peptides in the crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) stomatogastric nervous system. This system contains the pyloric and gastric mill central pattern generators, which receive modulatory inputs from projection neurons with somata located primarily in other ganglia of the stomatogastric nervous system. Our studies revealed stained somata in the commissural and esophageal ganglia. A pair of stained somata was located in the inferior ventricular nerve, and another pair of somata was located in the stomatogastric nerve where it is joined by the two superior esophageal nerves. The stomatogastric ganglion contained no stained somata, but the neuropil was brightly stained and 2-4 axons projected laterally in small nerves directly from the ganglion. These results indicate that FMRFamide or related peptides may act as neuromodulators in the crayfish stomatogastric nervous system. To test this hypothesis, we studied the effects of FMRFamide and four related peptides (DF2, NF1, F1 and LMS) on the pyloric motor pattern. DF2, NF1 and F1 all excited certain pyloric cells, especially the lateral pyloric (LP) and ventricular dilator (VD) neurons, and enhanced pyloric cycling frequency in most actively rhythmic preparations. FMRFamide had no detectable effects on pyloric cells, and LMS had inhibitory effects, causing disruption of the pyloric rhythm in actively cycling preparations and reducing tonic activity in non-rhythmic preparations.

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