title: Properties of the serotonergic cerebral ganglion neurons of the gastropod mollusc, Philine aperta.
abstract: The characteristics of a pair of identified neurons found in the cerebral ganglia of the gastropod mollusc Philine aperta have been examined. Because they appear to contain serotonin, and since they probably also use serotonin as a neurotransmitter, these neurons were named the serotonergic cerebral neurons (SCNs). Each SCN sent an axon out of the ipsilateral cerebro-buccal connective to the buccal ganglia. The SCNs also had extensive projections to all the ipsilateral, and most of the contralateral, buccal nerve trunks. Stimulating the SCNs produced the hyperpolarization of a pair of identified buccal ganglion mechano-sensory neurons (the S-cells), and had an excitatory action on the electrical activity of acinar cells of the salivary glands. A comparison of the properties of the Philine SCNs with those of similar serotonin-containing cerebral ganglion neurons in other gastropod molluscs provides evidence of homology with these neurons.
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials; D000818:Animals; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000502:physiology; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D005724:Ganglia / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008974:Mollusca / Q000502:physiology*; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D012701:Serotonin / Q000502:physiology*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission
chemical_list: D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D012701:Serotonin