The broad, long-term objective of this research is to understand how neurotransmitter systems control motor activity. The present study will address the mechanistic and functional consequences of signaling by neurons that contain multiple neurotransmitters. It will utilize an experimentally favorable model in which it is possible to identify specific neurons that exhibit a particular transmitter phenotype and to determine the contribution of those neurons to the generation of complex motor patterns. Experiments conducted to date have 1) localized the neurons that contain GABA and dopamine (DA) in Aplysia, 2) demonstrated that the overlap, or colocalization, of these major neurotransmitter systems occurs in only five neurons, all of which participate in the central pattern generator (CPG) circuit that controls feeding, and 3) localized GABA-DA coexistence to identified interneurons that can specify the functional configuration of this multifunctional CPG. Methods integrating neurophysiology, neuroanatomy, and pharmacology will test the central hypothesis of this study: GABA-DA interneurons that are intrinsic to a multifunctional CPG circuit can specify functional motor patterns via modulatory signaling. The proposed experiments address three specific aims that test this hypothesis: 1) determine the contributions of DA and GABA to rapid and slow synaptic signaling by the neurons in which they are colocalized, 2) explore the roles of colocalized DA and GABA in the regulation of multiple forms of synaptic plasticity that these interneurons display, and 3) determine the respective contributions of colocalized DA and GABA to the modulation of intrinsic membrane properties of postsynaptic motor neurons. These studies promise to lead to insights and principles that will have applicability to motor control in more complex brains, including the human central nervous system. In view of the pivotal role of dopaminergic and GABAergic neurotransmitter systems in our present understanding of major neurological movement disorders, these principles should also inform efforts to develop therapeutic and treatment strategies. The developmental objectives of this project will enable the PI to continue his efforts to acquire competitive research support. In view of positive evaluations of recent proposals, it is anticipated that this objective will be achieved during this grant period. Public Health Relevance: Several major neurological movement disorders, such as Parkinson's Disease and Huntington's Disease, are currently attributed to the malfunctioning or imbalance of specific brain pathways. This project will examine the contributions of brain cells that contain specific signaling molecules, or neurotransmitters, to the control of movement. This investigation will increase our understanding of how brain circuits control motor behavior and how major movement disorders result when these circuits are compromised.

Public Health Relevance

Several major neurological movement disorders, such as Parkinson's Disease and Huntington's Disease, are currently attributed to the malfunctioning or imbalance of specific brain pathways. This project will examine the contributions of brain cells that contain specific signaling molecules, or neurotransmitters, to the control of movement. This investigation will increase our understanding of how brain circuits control motor behavior and how major movement disorders result when these circuits are compromised.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Continuance Award (SC3)
Project #
5SC3GM087200-02
Application #
7795196
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZGM1-MBRS-5 (NP))
Program Officer
Gindhart, Joseph G
Project Start
2009-04-01
Project End
2012-03-31
Budget Start
2010-04-01
Budget End
2011-03-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2010
Total Cost
$112,500
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Puerto Rico Med Sciences
Department
Anatomy/Cell Biology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
948108063
City
San Juan
State
PR
Country
United States
Zip Code
00936
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Habib, Mohamed R; Mohamed, Azza H; Osman, Gamalat Y et al. (2015) Histamine Immunoreactive Elements in the Central and Peripheral Nervous Systems of the Snail, Biomphalaria spp., Intermediate Host for Schistosoma mansoni. PLoS One 10:e0129800
Vallejo, Deborah; Habib, Mohamed R; Delgado, Nadia et al. (2014) Localization of tyrosine hydroxylase-like immunoreactivity in the nervous systems of Biomphalaria glabrata and Biomphalaria alexandrina, intermediate hosts for schistosomiasis. J Comp Neurol 522:2532-52
Delgado, Nadia; Vallejo, Deborah; Miller, Mark W (2012) Localization of serotonin in the nervous system of Biomphalaria glabrata, an intermediate host for schistosomiasis. J Comp Neurol 520:3236-55
García-Crescioni, Keyla; Miller, Mark W (2011) Revisiting the reticulum: feedforward and feedback contributions to motor program parameters in the crab cardiac ganglion microcircuit. J Neurophysiol 106:2065-77
Martinez-Rubio, C; Serrano, G E; Miller, M W (2010) Octopamine promotes rhythmicity but not synchrony in a bilateral pair of bursting motor neurons in the feeding circuit of Aplysia. J Exp Biol 213:1182-94
Martínez-Rubio, Clarissa; Serrano, Geidy E; Miller, Mark W (2009) Localization of biogenic amines in the foregut of Aplysia californica: catecholaminergic and serotonergic innervation. J Comp Neurol 514:329-42
Stern, Estee; García-Crescioni, Keyla; Miller, Mark W et al. (2009) A method for decoding the neurophysiological spike-response transform. J Neurosci Methods 184:337-56
Wentzell, Margaret M; Martínez-Rubio, Clarissa; Miller, Mark W et al. (2009) Comparative neurobiology of feeding in the opisthobranch sea slug, Aplysia, and the pulmonate snail, Helisoma: evolutionary considerations. Brain Behav Evol 74:219-30