Origin of descending inputs controlling reflex reversals in the cockroach (Blaberus discoidalis)

Abstract

Event Abstract Back to Event Origin of descending inputs controlling reflex reversals in the cockroach (Blaberus discoidalis) Joshua P. Martin1*, Laiyong Mu2, Cynthia M. Harley3, Malavika Kesavan1 and Roy E. Ritzmann1 1 Case Western Reserve University, Biology, United States 2 University of Arizona, United States 3 University of Minnesota, United States As an animal moves through a complex environment, basic motor patterns involved in walking are altered to produce turning, climbing, escape, righting, and other behaviors suited to the challenges of the terrain, the animal’s environment, and requirements for survival. Adaptive behavior therefore requires that descending inputs from the brain, reflecting sensory integration and internal state, influence the operation of central pattern generators in the periphery. Central pattern generators in the thoracic ganglia of insects that control leg joints are influenced and coordinated by reflexes involving the activity of peripheral sensory organs in the leg. We have previously reported that the removal of descending information from the brain of the cockroach (Blaberus discoidalis) reverses the sign of one of these reflexes in the mesothoracic leg involved in turning behavior (Mu and Ritzmann (2008) J. Comp. Physiol. A, 194:293). Here, we investigate the origin of the descending control of reflexes through several experimental approaches that alter leg reflexes by manipulation of brain regions or further ablations of neck connectives. First, descending influence on the reflex is unilateral: lesioning of one neck connective produces a reversal of the reflex in the ipsilateral leg. Next, focal lesions in the lateral portions of the fan-shaped body of the central complex (CC) and the lateral accessory lobe (LAL), structures implicated in the control of turning, produce reflex reversals similar to those seen when descending inputs are removed entirely. Injection of procaine into the brain near or in the central complex results in reversible deficits that often include falling over and failure to right. These affects were rarely if ever seen in animals that had not received procaine injections or had saline injected into the brain. We are currently performing experiments to examine the effect of focal stimulation in the CC and LAL on the femoral chordotonal organ reflex. Supported by AFOSR Grant FA9550-10-1-0054 to RER Keywords: central complex, Lateral Accessory Lobe, motor, Reflex, sensory, Walking Conference: Tenth International Congress of Neuroethology, College Park. Maryland USA, United States, 5 Aug - 10 Aug, 2012. Presentation Type: Poster Presentation (see alternatives below as well) Topic: Sensorimotor Integration Citation: Martin JP, Mu L, Harley CM, Kesavan M and Ritzmann RE (2012). Origin of descending inputs controlling reflex reversals in the cockroach (Blaberus discoidalis). Conference Abstract: Tenth International Congress of Neuroethology. doi: 10.3389/conf.fnbeh.2012.27.00272 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 30 Apr 2012; Published Online: 07 Jul 2012. * Correspondence: Dr. Joshua P Martin, Case Western Reserve University, Biology, Cleveland, OH, 44106, United States, jpmartin@colby.edu Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Joshua P Martin Laiyong Mu Cynthia M Harley Malavika Kesavan Roy E Ritzmann Google Joshua P Martin Laiyong Mu Cynthia M Harley Malavika Kesavan Roy E Ritzmann Google Scholar Joshua P Martin Laiyong Mu Cynthia M Harley Malavika Kesavan Roy E Ritzmann PubMed Joshua P Martin Laiyong Mu Cynthia M Harley Malavika Kesavan Roy E Ritzmann Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.