Neural Basis of Behavioral Hierarchies and Plasticity

Davis, William J.

Abstract

This research is aimed at uncovering the cellular mechanisms of behavioral heirarchies (choice) and associative learning in a """"""""simple"""""""" model organism, the marine gastropod Pleurobranchaea californica. Corollary aims of the research are to determine the neural organization of the motor system that controls feeding behavior in this organism, since the feeding behavior is involved in both choice and learning. Specific projects we are undertaking are 1) a study of the synaptic organization of the feeding system in the brain of this organism; 2) an ultrastructural analysis of putative chemoreceptors (scanning and transmission electron microscopy); 3) a physiological study of chemoreception; 4) a cellular analysis of behavorial """"""""switching"""""""" between feeding and rejection in this organism.

Funding Agency

• Agency: National Institute of Health (NIH)
• Institute: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
• Type: Research Project (R01)
• Project #: 5R01NS009050-15
• Application #: 3393882
• Study Section: Physiology Study Section (PHY)
• Project Start: 1976-09-01
• Project End: 1985-11-30
• Budget Start: 1984-12-01
• Budget End: 1985-11-30
• Support Year: 15
• Fiscal Year: 1985

Institution

• Name: University of California Santa Cruz
• Type: Schools of Arts and Sciences
• City: Santa Cruz
• State: CA
• Country: United States
• Zip Code: 95064

Publications

Kovac, M P; Matera, E M; Volk, P J et al. (1986) Food avoidance learning is accompanied by synaptic attenuation in identified interneurons controlling feeding behavior in Pleurobranchaea. J Neurophysiol 56:891-905

Morielli, A D; Matera, E M; Kovac, M P et al. (1986) Cholinergic suppression: a postsynaptic mechanism of long-term associative learning. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 83:4556-60

Kovac, M P; Davis, W J; Matera, E M et al. (1985) Learning: neural analysis in the isolated brain of a previously trained mollusc, Pleurobranchaea californica. Brain Res 331:275-84

Croll, R P; Kovac, M P; Davis, W J (1985) Neural mechanisms of motor program switching in the mollusc Pleurobranchaea. II. Role of the ventral white cell, anterior ventral, and B3 buccal neurons. J Neurosci 5:56-63

Croll, R P; Davis, W J; Kovac, M P (1985) Neural mechanisms of motor program switching in the mollusc Pleurobranchaea. I. Central motor programs underlying ingestion, egestion, and the ""neutral"" rhythm(s). J Neurosci 5:48-55

Croll, R P; Kovac, M P; Davis, W J et al. (1985) Neural mechanisms of motor program switching in the mollusc Pleurobranchaea. III. Role fo the paracerebral neurons and other identified brain neurons. J Neurosci 5:64-71