Presynaptic facilitation as a mechanism for behavioral sensitization in Aplysia.
Sensitization is an elementary form of nonassociative learning, related to behavioral arousal, in which a strong stimulus facilitates a reflex response. Studies of the neural circuit of the gill-withdrawal reflex in the isolated abdominal ganglion on Aplysia indicate that short-term sensitization is due to presynaptic facilitation. The facilitation results in a sudden increase in the amount of neurotransmitter released by the sensory neurons at their synapses with motor neurons.
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D005724:Ganglia / Q000502:physiology; D006185:Habituation, Psychophysiologic / Q000502:physiology; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D008974:Mollusca; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D012018:Reflex; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission
D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents