The computational leech.
The local bending reflex of the leech computes a well-defined sensorimotor input-output function in which each of several unique patterns of sensory input elicits a unique pattern of motoneuron activity. Interneurons in the reflex respond to most input patterns and contribute to most motor patterns, suggesting a distributed processing mechanism for the reflex. This suggestion is supported by models in which connection strengths are adjusted by a neural network optimization algorithm to reproduce the local bending input-output function. In addition, computational parallels between the local bending network and the perceptron, a major class of artificial neural networks, brings the functional role of local bending interneurons into question and suggests new physiological experiments.
Lockery
S R
SR
Institute of Neuroscience, University of Oregon, Eugene 97403.
Sejnowski
T J
TJ
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D007395:Interneurons / Q000502:physiology; D007865:Leeches / Q000502:physiology*; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D012018:Reflex / Q000502:physiology*