Abstract
The feeding circuit in Aplysia is a useful model system for studying the neuronal bases of cognitive functions such as sensory processing, generation of behavior, motivation, decision making, learning, and memory [1,2]. The goals of the present study are to develop a biologically-realistic model of the feeding circuit and to investigate the ways in which component processes contribute to circuit function. To begin, we developed a model of the central pattern generator (CPG) that mediates rhythmicity in the feeding circuit (Fig. (Fig.1A).1A). Simulations indicated that two positive-feedback loops (the B31 autapse and the synaptic interactions between B31 and B63) introduced bistability into the membrane potential of the B31 soma (Figures (Figures1B,1B, 1C1). In addition, simulations indicated that this plateau-like potential was the ‘deciding factor’ for initiating rhythmic activity (Fig. (Fig.1C).1C). Simulations also helped identify features of the model that warrant further empirical investigation; e.g., the simulated amplitude of the plateau-like potential was less than empirical observations. Figure 1 Bistability and rhythmicity in the feeding circuit. A: Circuit diagram of the feeding CPG. We expanded our previous ten-cell model [3] by representing B31 and B63 with two-compartments (soma and axon compartments), incorporating a modulatory synapse ...
Highlights
The feeding circuit in Aplysia is a useful model system for studying the neuronal bases of cognitive functions such as sensory processing, generation of behavior, motivation, decision making, learning, and memory [1,2]
We developed a model of the central pattern generator (CPG) that mediates rhythmicity in the feeding circuit (Fig. 1A)
Simulations helped identify features of the model that warrant further empirical investigation; e.g.,
Summary
The feeding circuit in Aplysia is a useful model system for studying the neuronal bases of cognitive functions such as sensory processing, generation of behavior, motivation, decision making, learning, and memory [1,2].
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