title: Higher-order control of the feeding network in Lymnaea.
abstract: A novel excitatory higher-order input (named Input-HO) to the feeding network of the pond snail, Lymnaea stagnalis, as well as a reliable procedure that makes it possible to initiate and maintain the Input-HO, are described. The Input-HO is primarily targeted to two bilaterally symmetrical pairs of extrabuccal projecting interneurons, the serotonergic Cerebral Giant Cells (CGCs or C1) and FMRFamidergic Pleural-Buccal cells (PlBs). Judging from the results of transection experiments, Input-HO originates in the paired cerebral ganglia where its left and right sources coexist. These sources discharge independently or, sometimes, one after the other. Both inputs project to the ipsilateral CGC/PlB only. In turn, the activity of PlB decreases the frequency of Input-HO bouts. We suggest that the Input-HO represents a prominent part of the mechanism controlling feeding behavior in Lymnaea.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biology, I. Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Tbilisi, Georgia. alania@geo.net.ge
authors.forename: Magda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alania
authors.forename: D D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Vorontsov
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Sakharov
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D007395:Interneurons / Q000502:physiology; D008195:Lymnaea / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D008564:Membrane Potentials; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000502:physiology