title: Monitoring neuronal activity during discrete behaviors: a crawling, swimming and shortening device for tethered leeches.
abstract: An apparatus is described which facilities continuous electrophysiological recordings in segmental ganglia of leeches while the animal performs different behavioral patterns: crawling, swimming or shortening. Both the behaviors and neuronal recordings are monitored by a video camera system and can be evaluated simultaneously. The device is well suited to investigate questions of behavioral choice and neuronal decision-making mechanisms in these animals. It can also be modified to study the neural control of behavior in other aquatic animals, such as snails.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla 92093-0322.
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Baader
authors.forename: W B
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Kristan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005724:Ganglia / Q000502:physiology; D007865:Leeches / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D013550:Swimming