Synaptic Connectivity of Amine-Containing Neurosecretory Cells of Lobsters: Inputs to 5HT- and OCT- Containing Neurons

Abstract

Biogenic amines, such as serotonin (5HT) and octopamine (OCT), the invertebrate counterpart of norepinephrine in vertebrates, function as neuromodulators capable of influencing vital behaviors in a wide variety of animal species (Hen 1992; Cases et al. 1995; Weiger 1997; Edwards and Kravitz 1997; Shiah and Yatham 1998; Horner 1999a; Monastirioti 1999; Kravitz 2000). Amine actions have been examined at organizational levels ranging from behavioral, through systems, and ultimately to cellular and subcellular levels. Invertebrate preparations are used extensively for such studies because of their unique advantages: with these models the analyses can be brought to the level of identified neurons likely to be important in the behavior. In crustaceans, for example, individual identified 5HT and OCT neurons are readily accessible for electrophysiological, pharmacological, and even molecular studies aimed at defining their function in complex behaviors like aggression.