title: Effects of aversive stimuli beyond defensive neural circuits: reduced excitability in an identified neuron critical for feeding in Aplysia.
abstract: In Aplysia, repeated trials of aversive stimuli produce long-term sensitization (LTS) of defensive reflexes and suppression of feeding. Whereas the cellular underpinnings of LTS have been characterized, the mechanisms of feeding suppression remained unknown. Here, we report that LTS training induced a long-term decrease in the excitability of B51 (a decision-making neuron in the feeding circuit) that recovered at a time point in which LTS is no longer observed (72 h post-treatment). These findings indicate B51 as a locus of plasticity underlying feeding suppression. Finally, treatment with serotonin to induce LTS failed to alter feeding and B51 excitability, suggesting that serotonin does not mediate the effects of LTS training on the feeding circuit.
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Sciences, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, Texas 78412, USA.
authors.forename: Maria E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Shields-Johnson
authors.forename: John S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Hernandez
authors.forename: Cody
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Torno
authors.forename: Katherine M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.forename: Marcy L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Wainwright
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mozzachiodi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001048:Aplysia; D001362:Avoidance Learning / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D001703:Biophysics; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000166:cytology*; D004558:Electric Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D017774:Long-Term Potentiation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D012018:Reflex / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D012701:Serotonin / Q000494:pharmacology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D012701:Serotonin