Abstract

The long range goal of this research is to gain insight into mechanisms underlying the modulation of synaptic transmission. The relatively simple nervous system of Aplysia has advantages that have made it particularly useful for these studies.
The specific aim of this grant is to explore the hypothesis that neuropeptides which are present in motor neurons are released during stimulation to modulate the effectiveness of conventional excitatory transmitters released from the same neurons. This will be investigated in a model system comprised of identifiable motor neurons which innervate feeding muscles and synthesize and contain characterized neuropeptides in addition to conventional excitatory transmitters such as acetylcholine. The neuropeptides have been shown to be potent modulators of neuromuscular transmission at feeding muscles. Different motor neurons contain different modulatory neuropeptides so it will be possible to determine if the peptides in a particular neuron """"""""tailor"""""""" the plastic properties of neuromuscular transmission to individual muscles. There is a possibility that understanding fundamental neural processes such as modulation of synaptic transmission in Aplysia could have relevance to disorders of movement as well as more general disorders of affect and cognition.

  Funding Agency

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01NS023569-02
Application #
3407237
Study Section
Neurology B Subcommittee 1 (NEUB)
Project Start
1986-04-01
Project End
1989-03-31
Budget Start
1987-04-01
Budget End
1988-03-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
1987
Total Cost
Indirect Cost

  Institution

Name
University of Chicago
Department
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
225410919
City
Chicago
State
IL
Country
United States
Zip Code
60637

  Publications

Church, P J; Whim, M D; Lloyd, P E (1993) Modulation of neuromuscular transmission by conventional and peptide transmitters released from excitatory and inhibitory motor neurons in Aplysia. J Neurosci 13:2790-800
Church, P J; Lloyd, P E (1991) Expression of diverse neuropeptide cotransmitters by identified motor neurons in Aplysia. J Neurosci 11:618-25
Hall, J D; Lloyd, P E (1991) Release of pedal peptide from Aplysia neurons in primary culture. J Neurobiol 22:583-9
Hall, J D; Lloyd, P E (1990) Involvement of pedal peptide in locomotion in Aplysia: modulation of foot muscle contractions. J Neurobiol 21:858-68
Pearson, W L; Lloyd, P E (1990) Distribution and characterization of pedal peptide immunoreactivity in Aplysia. J Neurobiol 21:883-92
Lotshaw, D P; Lloyd, P E (1990) Peptidergic and serotonergic facilitation of a neuromuscular synapse in Aplysia. Brain Res 526:81-94
Lloyd, P E; Connolly, C M (1989) Sequence of pedal peptide: a novel neuropeptide from the central nervous system of Aplysia. J Neurosci 9:312-7
Lloyd, P E (1989) Interganglionic axonal transport of neuropeptides in Aplysia. J Neurosci 9:3243-9
Whim, M D; Lloyd, P E (1989) Frequency-dependent release of peptide cotransmitters from identified cholinergic motor neurons in Aplysia. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 86:9034-8
Glanzman, D L; Mackey, S L; Hawkins, R D et al. (1989) Depletion of serotonin in the nervous system of Aplysia reduces the behavioral enhancement of gill withdrawal as well as the heterosynaptic facilitation produced by tail shock. J Neurosci 9:4200-13

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