Inhibitory Pathways for Processing the Temporal Structure of Sensory Signals in the Insect Brain.

Hiroyuki Ai,Ajayrama Kumaraswamy,Hidetoshi Ikeno,Tsunehiko Kohashi,Thomas Wachtler

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01517

Hiroyuki Ai, Ajayrama Kumaraswamy + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01517

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Abstract

Insects have acquired excellent sensory information processing abilities in the process of evolution. In addition, insects have developed communication schemes based on the temporal patterns of specific sensory signals. For instance, male moths approach a female by detecting the spatiotemporal pattern of a pheromone plume released by the female. Male crickets attract a conspecific female as a mating partner using calling songs with species-specific temporal patterns. The dance communication of honeybees relies on a unique temporal pattern of vibration caused by wingbeats during the dance. Underlying these behaviors, neural circuits involving inhibitory connections play a critical common role in processing the exact timing of the signals in the primary sensory centers of the brain. Here, we discuss common mechanisms for processing the temporal patterns of sensory signals in the insect brain.

Highlights

The temporal patterns of sensory signals can serve as critical cues in behavioral choice
The disinhibitory network contributes to the coding of not just the waggle phase (WP), and the short pulse period (PP). These experimental and computational results suggest the following motif that resembles the functions of a stopwatch: When a train of vibration pulse stimuli is applied to the Johnston’s organs (JO), dorsal lobe (DL)-Int-1 stops the spontaneous spikes via hyperpolarization
In the olfactory processing in moths and in the vibration processing of waggle dance signals in honeybees, a disinhibition is suggested to contribute to detecting the total duration of sensory stimulation (Figures 2B,F)

Summary

Introduction

The temporal patterns of sensory signals can serve as critical cues in behavioral choice. When short intermittent pulses of female sex pheromone were applied to the antenna, as in the odor plume, the moth advanced directly toward the odor source, and each stimulus pulse evoked a train of spikes in the PN that was linked to the intermittent stimulus pattern (Figure 2B; Christensen et al, 1998).

Results

Conclusion