Pilocarpine-induced motor rhythms in the isolated locust suboesophageal ganglion
Rhythmic activity was recorded from the mandibular motor nerves after treating isolated locust suboesophageal ganglia with the muscarinic agonist pilocarpine. The rhythmic motor pattern consisted of alternating bursts of activity in the antagonistic mandibular opener and closer motoneurones on each side and was synchronised in contralateral homologues. This pattern closely resembled the activity recorded from mandibular muscles in intact feeding locusts. The chewing frequency, however, was approximately three times higher in intact insects than the frequency of the motor pattern recorded from isolated ganglia. Serotonergic neurosecretory cells showed activity synchronous with the pilocarpine-evoked motor pattern. Similarly, rhythmic activity of the motoneurones innervating the two mandibular muscle receptor organs was synchronised with the mandibular motor pattern.
Rast
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Br&Auml;Unig
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