Coordination of Rhythmic Motor Activity by Gradients of Synaptic Strength in a Neural Circuit That Couples Modular Neural Oscillators

To investigate molecular mechanisms of central pattern generators (CPG s) functioning, we carried out a screening of collection of Drosophila P-insertional mutants for strong deviations in locomotion and courtship song. In 21 mutants, the site of the P-insertion was localized by sequencing of the fragments of genomic DNA flanking the P-element. Bioinformational analysis revealed a list of candidate genes, potential players in development and functioning of CPG s. Possible involvement of certain identified genes in rhythmic motor activity is suggested for the first time (CG15630, Map205).

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The central nervous origin of the swimming motor pattern in embryos of Xenopus laevis

Journal of Experimental Biology ◽

10.1242/jeb.99.1.185 ◽

1982 ◽

Vol 99 (1) ◽

pp. 185-196 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

J. A. Kahn ◽

A. Roberts

Keyword(s):

Motor Activity ◽

Similar Pattern ◽

Sensory Feedback ◽

Motor Nerve ◽

Motor Pattern ◽

Cycle Period ◽

Phase Lag ◽

Nerve Activity ◽

Rhythmic Motor ◽

Swimming Pattern

Rhythmic motor nerve activity was recorded in stage 37/38 Xenopus embryos paralysed with curare. The activity was similar to the swimming motor pattern in the following ways: cycle period (40–125 ms), alternation of activity on either side of a segment, rostro-caudal phase lag. Episodes of rhythmic motor activity could be evoked by stimuli that evoke swimming and inhibited by stimuli that normally inhibit swimming. On this basis we conclude that the swimming motor pattern is generated by a central nervous mechanism and is not dependent on sensory feedback. In addition to the swimming pattern, another pattern of motor activity (‘synchrony’) was sometimes recorded in curarized embryos. In this, the rhythmic bursts on either side of a segment occurred in synchrony, and the rhythm period (20–50 ms) was half that in swimming. This was probably not an artifact of curarization as there were indications of a similar pattern in uncurarized embryos. Its function remains unclear.

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Relationship between Rhythmic Motor Activity and Plasma Luteinizing Hormone in Ovariectomized Sheep

Neuroendocrinology ◽

10.1159/000123187 ◽

1981 ◽

Vol 32 (6) ◽

pp. 364-369 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

D.D. Rasmussen ◽

P.V. Malven

Keyword(s):

Luteinizing Hormone ◽

Motor Activity ◽

Rhythmic Motor

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Spinal mechanisms of NMA-induced rhythmic motor activity in the rat fetus

Neuroscience Research Supplements ◽

10.1016/0921-8696(90)90136-q ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 15 ◽

pp. S35

Author(s):

Shigeru Ozaki ◽

Norio Kudo

Keyword(s):

Motor Activity ◽

Rat Fetus ◽

Rhythmic Motor

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A Dynamic Body Model of the NematodeC. eleganswith Neural Oscillators

Journal of Robotics and Mechatronics ◽

10.20965/jrm.2005.p0318 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 17 (3) ◽

pp. 318-326 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Michiyo Suzuki ◽

◽

Takeshi Goto ◽

Toshio Tsuji ◽

Hisao Ohtake ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Computer Simulation ◽

Motor Control ◽

Caenorhabditis Elegans ◽

Neural Circuit ◽

Rhythmic Movement ◽

Circuit Model ◽

Neural Oscillators ◽

C Elegans ◽

Body Model ◽

Multicellular Organisms

The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), a relatively simple organism in structure, is one of the most well-studied multicellular organisms. We developed a virtual C. elegans based on the actual organism to analyze motor control. We propose a dynamic body model, including muscles, controlled by a neural circuit model based on the actual nematode. The model uses neural oscillators to generate rhythmic movement. Computer simulation confirmed that the virtual C. elegans realizes motor control similar qualitatively to that of the actual organism. Specified classes of neurons are killed in the neural circuit model corresponding to actual unc mutants, demonstrating that resulting movement of the virtual C. elegans resembles that of actual mutants.

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