title: Rapid and persistent suppression of feeding behavior induced by sensitization training in Aplysia.
abstract: In Aplysia, noxious stimuli induce sensitization of defensive responses. However, it remains largely unknown whether such stimuli also alter nondefensive behaviors. In this study, we examined the effects of noxious stimuli on feeding. Strong electric shocks, capable of inducing sensitization, also led to the suppression of feeding. The use of multiple training protocols revealed that the time course of the suppression of feeding was analogous to that of sensitization. In addition, the suppression of feeding was present only at the time points in which sensitization was expressed. These results suggest that, in Aplysia, noxious stimuli may produce concurrent changes in neural circuits controlling both defensive and nondefensive behaviors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Sciences, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, Texas 78412, USA.
authors.forename: Ama
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Acheampong
authors.forename: Kathleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shields-Johnson
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hajovsky
authors.forename: Marcy
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wainwright
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mozzachiodi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001048:Aplysia / Q000502:physiology*; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D009424:Nervous System Physiological Phenomena