生物神经系统的编码特性和小世界特性

本文主要研究视网膜神经系统和七鳃鳗脊椎神经系统的电位发放特性和网络特性,首先利用抑制神经系统的Winner Less Competition（WLC）模型,分析视网膜和七鳃鳗脊椎神经系统的电位发放．得到视网膜神经元和脊椎神经元的电位发放模式．然后利用Watts-Strogatz小世界网络的特性,分析两个生物神经系统的群集系数和特征路长,说明这些生物系统神经元之间的信息传递具有小世界网络的特性．     

交流外电场下映射神经元放电节律的分析

神经元不同的放电节律承载着不同的刺激信息。文章基于神经元映射模型,研究低频交流电场对神经元放电节律的影响。在外部刺激下映射模型表现出丰富的放电模式,包括周期簇放电、周期峰放电、交替放电和混沌放电。神经元对刺激频率和振幅的变化极为敏感,随着频率的增大,放电节律表现出从簇放电到峰放电和混沌放电的反向加周期分岔序列;在周期节律转迁过程中存在一种新的交替节律,其放电序列为两种周期放电模式的交替,峰峰间期序列具有整数倍特征。外电场的频率影响细胞内、外离子振荡周期,导致神经元放电与刺激信号同步,对放电节律的影响更为明显。研究结果揭示了交流外电场对神经元放电节律的作用规律,有助于探寻外电场对生物神经系统兴奋性的影响和神经系统疾病的致病机理。     

肠神经系统及其研究进展（一）

肠经系统是存在于胃肠壁内一个独立于大脑之外的完整神经网络。在体内它起着感知,启动和调控胃肠的运动和分泌功能,临床多种胃肠动力障碍性疾病怀肠神经元异常有密切关系。肠神经系统已成为植物性神经系统以外的新的分支学科,是目前胃肠生理学和神经生物学研究的热点。     

胎儿胃肌间神经节胆碱能神经元的研究

本文采用胆碱乙酰转移酶（ＣｈＡＴ）和乙酰胆碱酯酶（ＡＣｈＥ）酶组织化学方法和显微图像分析技术对３２周～４０周胎儿胃底部、胃体部、胃窦部及胃幽门管部的肌间神经节内胆碱能神经元进行光镜定位定量观察。结果表明：胆碱能神经元的分布,细胞大小及酶活性在胃各部有所不同,胆碱能神经元数量由胃底至幽门管部逐渐递增;胃痛和胃体部以中小型神经元为主,胃窦和胃幽门管部以大中型神经元为主;胃各区酶活性强度不一,胃底部和胃体部酶活性显著高于胃幽门部,胃体部酶活性最强。提示胃各部的运动功能和代谢功能有所不同。     

关于胃电的研究

本文对胃电的特征、胃电与胃运动的关系、影响胃电的各种因素等生理学的新进展作了简要的介绍。也提出了胃电的临床应用和目前存在的问题。胃电分为慢波和快波。慢波也称为基础电节律,是一种比较规律的在任何生理情况下都能记录到的电波,在切除神经组织后仍能节律地发生,因此是肌原性的;这种波发生后不伴有肌肉收缩,为具有自律性的纵行平滑肌细胞所特有。胃电快波是负载于胃电慢波之上或其后的一系列峰电位,是胃运动的动作电位。故只有在胃运动时才有。胃电慢波的节律决定着每组胃电快波和胃运动的节律。神经系统和胃肠道的激素都能影响胃电活动。但关于这方面的研究,目前还存在着很多问题。     

神经放电节律转化的分岔序列模式

神经元接受到的外界信号是动态变化的,神经放电节律模式则会依据一定的规律动态转化来反映这种变化,以往确定性理论模型(如Chay模型和Rose-Hindmarsh模型)模拟出了部分神经放电模式转化的整体分岔规律。利用Chay模型仿真,通过调节具有生理学意义的参数,模拟出了神经元放电的一系列分岔序列,同时在神经起步点的实验中,应用与模型对应的参数进行调节,观察到了与仿真结果整体上一致的分岔序列,印证了数值模拟的结果,展现了真实的神经元放电整体分岔结构的基本规律,为理解具体的生理调节活动中神经放电节律的转化提供了理论基础。     

大鼠胃肌间神经丛中NOS阳性神经元的组织化学研究

采用ＮＡＤＰＨ┐黄递酶（ＮＤＰ）组织化学技术在整装铺片上对大鼠胃肌间神经丛中一氧化氮合酶（ＮＯＳ）阳性神经元进行定量和定位研究。结果显示：大鼠胃肌间神经丛中ＮＯＳ阳性神经元密度（个／ｍｍ２）分别为：６２．１±３７．７（幽门部）、４３．４±３１．７（胃体）、３１．６±２７．８（胃底）。胃底部神经节内神经元数量较少,神经元胞体较大,染色较深;幽门部神经节内神经元数量较多,胞体大小不等,染色深浅不一;胃体部的则介于两者之间,呈过渡态。结果表明：胃各部肌间神经丛中ＮＯＳ阳性神经元的差异可能与胃的生理功能密切相关     

动态神经元的网络模型——Ⅲ.电路实现

在动态神经元网络数学模型的基础上,利用模拟有源器件与数学开关电路组成的硬件系统来达到模拟生物神经元的目的。模拟的结果表明：这个硬件具有神经元脉冲发放的动态过程,系统中每部分的输出信号分别对应于突触后电位、感受器电位、始段分级电位和轴突上脉冲发放等波形,与生物实验资料相似,是一个比计算机仿真更接近实际的连续模型,它将为小型神经元网络的动态特性分析提供了更直观,更可靠的手段。     

视网膜神经节细胞对自然刺激的时空反应模式

神经系统信息处理的理论研究和计算结果表明,视皮层可以通过稀疏编码 (sparse coding) 模式来处理自然刺激信息.神经元群体中,单个神经元在大多数时间里没有强的脉冲发放 (时间维稀疏性,lifetime sparseness),而针对某一刺激,只有少数神经元在特定的时间内发放 (空间维稀疏性,population sparseness).从神经元放电的时间和空间模式两个方面考察了视网膜神经节细胞群体对自然刺激(电影)的编码方式,并同实验室常用的伪随机棋盘格刺激下视网膜的反应模式进行比较,分析了视网膜神经节细胞反应的稀疏性指标,并深入探讨了其内在的时间和空间特点.结果提示,视觉系统在其最初阶段——视网膜——即开始采用一种高效节能的稀疏编码方式来处理自然视觉信息,单个神经元的时间维稀疏性节省了代谢能量消耗,而群体神经元中邻近神经元的动态成组协同发放,提高了信息向突触后神经元传递的有效性.     

兔颈交感神经干动作电位的呼吸性节律

(一)兔颈交感神经干的动作电位和膈神经发放有明显的同步关系,是为交感发放的呼吸性节律。改变呼吸中枢和血管运动中枢的兴奋状态后,交感发放的呼吸性节律也随着发生相应的变化,但切断缓冲神经不影响交感的呼吸性节律发放。(二)必须保留脑桥和延髓完整,交感发放才能表现出呼吸性节律。在脑桥水平切断脑干而动物发生长吸式呼吸时,交感发放的呼吸性节律消失。(三)本文讨论了交感神经和膈神经同步化发放的机制,认为呼吸中枢的兴奋过程使血管运动中枢的活动被周期性地“强化”。于是交感发放出现呼吸性节律。呼吸中枢对血管运动中枢的“强化”的程度,乃取决于这两个中枢的兴奋性的高低,这一过程可能是在脑桥和延髓的网状结构中进行的。     

A model for basic pattern generating mechanisms in the lobster stomatogastric ganglion

The stomatogastric ganglion of the lobster contains three central pattern generators-the pyloric, lateral gastric and medial gastric systems. These networks are modelled using a simple neural model in which the only variable parameters are the synaptic potentials and thresholds for each cell. In each case a model network with the appropriate synaptic connections reproduces the main features of the observed output patterns. The basic pattern generating mechanisms are quite different for each of these model networks. For the pyloric and lateral gastric systems our results confirm previously suggested mechanisms. For the medial gastric system we have determined a network which explains pattern generation; no satisfactory mechanism was previously known.     

Oscillations and oscillatory behavior in small neural circuits

In order to determine the dynamical properties of central pattern generators (CPGs), we have examined the lobster stomatogastric ganglion using the tools of nonlinear dynamics. The lobster pyloric and gastric mill central pattern generators can be analyzed at both the cellular and network levels because they are small, i.e., contain only 25 neurons between them and each neuron and synapse are repeatedly identifiable from animal to animal. We discuss how the biophysical properties of each neuron and synapse in the two circuits act cooperatively to generate two different patterns of sequential activity, how these patterns are altered by neuromodulators and perturbed by noise and sensory inputs. Finally, we show how simplified Hindmarsh–Rose models can be made into analog electronic neurons that mimic the lobster neurons and in addition be incorporated into artificial CPGs with robotic applications.     

Motor pattern generation of the posterior cardiac plate-pyloric system in the stomatogastric ganglion of the mantis shrimp Squilla oratoria

Activity patterns of the constituent neurons of the posterior cardiac plate-pyloric system in the stomatogastric ganglion of the mantis shrimp Squilla oratoria were studied by recording spontaneous burst discharges intracellularly from neuronal somata. These neurons were identified electrophysiologically, and synaptic connections among them were qualitatively analysed. The posterior cardiac plate constrictor, pyloric constrictor, pyloric dilator and ventricular dilator motoneurons, and the pyloric interneuron were involved in the posterior cardiac plate-pyloric system. All the cell types could produce slow burst-forming potentials which led to repetitive spike discharges. These neurons generated sequentially patterned outputs. Most commonly, the posterior cardiac plate neuron activity was followed by the activity of pyloric constrictor neurons, and then by the activity of pyloric dilator/pyloric interneuron, and ventricular dilator neurons. The motoneurons and interneuron in the posterior cardiac plate-pyloric system were connected to each other either by electrical or by inhibitory chemical synapses, and thus constructed the neural circuit characterized by a wiring diagram which was structurally similar to the pyloric circuit of decapods. The circuitry in the stomatogastric ganglion was strongly conserved during evolution between stomatopods and decapods, despite significant changes in the peripheral structure of the foregut. There were more electrical synapses in stomatopods, and more reciprocal inhibitory synapses in decapods.Abbreviations EJP excitatory junctional potential - IPSP inhibitory postsynaptic potential - CoG commissural ganglion - CPG central pattern generator - ion inferior oesophageal nerve - OG oesophageal ganglion - pcp posterior cardiac plate - son superior oesophageal nerve - STG stomatogastric ganglion - stn stomatogastric nerve - PY pyloric constrictor - PD pyloric dilator - VD ventricular dilator - AB pyloric interneuron - lvn lateral ventricular nerves - tcpm transverse cardiac plate muscle     

Co-variation of ionic conductances supports phase maintenance in stomatogastric neurons

Neuronal networks produce reliable functional output throughout the lifespan of an animal despite ceaseless molecular turnover and a constantly changing environment. Central pattern generators, such as those of the crustacean stomatogastric ganglion (STG), are able to robustly maintain their functionality over a wide range of burst periods. Previous experimental work involving extracellular recordings of the pyloric pattern of the STG has demonstrated that as the burst period varies, the inter-neuronal delays are altered proportionally, resulting in burst phases that are roughly invariant. The question whether spike delays within bursts are also proportional to pyloric period has not been explored in detail. The mechanism by which the pyloric neurons accomplish phase maintenance is currently not obvious. Previous studies suggest that the co-regulation of certain ion channel properties may play a role in governing neuronal activity. Here, we observed in long-term recordings of the pyloric rhythm that spike delays can vary proportionally with burst period, so that spike phase is maintained. We then used a conductance-based model neuron to determine whether co-varying ionic membrane conductances results in neural output that emulates the experimentally observed phenomenon of spike phase maintenance. Next, we utilized a model neuron database to determine whether conductance correlations exist in model neuron populations with highly maintained spike phases. We found that co-varying certain conductances, including the sodium and transient calcium conductance pair, causes the model neuron to maintain a specific spike phase pattern. Results indicate a possible relationship between conductance co-regulation and phase maintenance in STG neurons.     

Consistent dynamics suggests tight regulation of biophysical parameters in a small network of bursting neurons

The neuronal firing patterns in the pyloric network of crustaceans are remarkably consistent among animals. Although this characteristic of the pyloric network is well-known, the biophysical mechanisms underlying the regulation of the systems output are receiving renewed attention. Computer simulations of the pyloric network recently demonstrated that consistent motor output can be achieved from neurons with disparate biophysical parameters among animals. Here we address this hypothesis by pharmacologically manipulating the pyloric network and analyzing the emerging voltage oscillations and firing patterns. Our results show that the pyloric network of the lobster stomatogastric ganglion maintains consistent and regular firing patterns even when entire populations of specific voltage-gated channels and synaptic receptors are blocked. The variations of temporal parameters used to characterize the burst patterns of the neurons as well as their intraburst spike dynamics do not display statistically significant increase after blocking the transient K-currents (with 4-aminopyridine), the glutamatergic inhibitory synapses (with picrotoxin), or the cholinergic synapses (with atropine) in pyloric networks from different animals. These data suggest that in this very compact circuit, the biophysical parameters are cell-specific and tightly regulated.     

Structural and Functional Basis of Motor Pattern Generation in the Stomatogastric Ganglion of the Lobster

The stomatogastric ganglion of the lobster Panulirus interruptuscontains about 30 neurons and controls the striated musculatureof the stomach. The ganglion produces two complex rhythms, thepyloric cycle and the gastric mill cycle, when completely deafferented. This paper describes the neural circuitry underlying this activityin terms of interactions among motor neurons. The pyloric motorneurons are coordinated by electrotonic and inhibitory synapticinteractions which are driven by a group of three neurons havingendogenous bursting capability. The gastric mill cycle doesnot appear to have any such driving source, and instead relieson the overall properties of the network to generate its burstpatterns. Preliminary computer modeling indicates that alternatebursting between antagonists can occur without cyclically burstingdriver cells. Computer reconstruction of Procion-filled stomatogastricneurons are used both to corroborate the results of the physiologicalstudies and to quantify the geometry for purposes of modelingthe intraneuronal flow of synaptic currents.     

Multiple motor patterns in the stomatogastric ganglion of the shrimp Penaeus japonicus

 Motor patterns of the cardiac sac, the gastric and the pyloric network in the stomatogastric nervous system of the shrimp Penaeus japonicus, the most primitive decapod species, were studied. Single neurons can switch from the gastric or the pyloric pattern to the cardiac sac pattern. Some of the pyloric neurons fire with the gastric pattern. All of the gastric neurons fire with the pyloric pattern, unlike those in reptantians. Proctolin activates and modulates the cardiac sac and the pyloric rhythm, and promotes reconfiguration of the networks. Neurons of the three networks have so many interconnections that they construct a multifunctional neural network like those in Cancer. This network may function in different configurations under the appropriate conditions. Several modes of interactions between the networks found in different reptantian species can apply to the penaeidean shrimp. Such interactions are general features of the stomatogastric nervous system in decapods. Phylogenetic differences among the decapod infraorders are seen in the number and orientation of muscles and the innervation pattern of muscles. The multifunctional networks have existed in the most primitive decapod species, and types of configurations of the networks would have evolved to produce a wide range of motor patterns as the foregut structure has become complex. Accepted: 26 October 1999     

Homarus Americanus Stomatogastric Nervous System Dissection

With the goal of understanding how nervous systems produce activity and respond to the environment, neuroscientists turn to model systems that exhibit the activity of interest and are accessible and amenable to experimental methods. The stomatogastric nervous system (STNS) of the American lobster (Homarus americanus; also know was the Atlantic or Maine lobster) has been established as a model system for studying rhythm generating networks and neuromodulation of networks. The STNS consists of 3 anterior ganglia (2 commissural ganglia and an oesophageal ganglion), containing modulatory neurons that project centrally to the stomatogastric ganglion (STG). The STG contains approximately 30 neurons that comprise two central pattern generating networks, the pyloric and gastric networks that underlie feeding behaviors in crustaceans^1,2. While it is possible to study this system in vivo³, the STNS continues to produce its rhythmic activity when isolated in vitro. Physical isolation of the STNS in a dish allows for easy access to the somata in the ganglia for intracellular electrophysiological recordings and to the nerves of the STNS for extracellular recordings. Isolating the STNS is a two-part process. The first part, dissecting the stomach from the animal, is described in an accompanying video article⁴. In this video article, fine dissection techniques are used to isolate the STNS from the stomach. This procedure results in a nervous system preparation that is available for electrophysiological recordings.     

The innervation of the pyloric region of the crab,Cancer borealis: Homologous muscles in decapod species are differently innervated

Summary The muscles of the pyloric region of the stomach of the crab,Cancer borealis, are innervated by motorneurons found in the stomatogastric ganglion (STG). Electrophysiological recording and stimulating techniques were used to study the detailed pattern of innervation of the pyloric region muscles. Although there are two Pyloric Dilator (PD) motorneurons in lobsters, previous work reported four PD motorneurons in the crab STG (Dando et al. 1974; Hermann 1979a, b). We now find that only two of the crab PD neurons innervate muscles homologous to those innervated by the PD neurons in the lobster,Panulirus interrruptus. The remaining two PD neurons innervate muscles that are innervated by pyloric (PY) neurons inP. interruptus. The innervation patterns of the Lateral Pyloric (LP), Ventricular Dilator (VD), Inferior Cardiac (IC), and PY neurons were also determined and compared with those previously reported in lobsters. Responses of the muscles of the pyloric region to the neurotransmitters, acetylcholine (ACh) and glutamate, were determined by application of exogenous cholinergic agonists and glutamate. The effect of the cholinergic antagonist, curare, on the amplitude of the excitatory junctional potentials (EJPs) evoked by stimulation of the pyloric motor nerves was measured. These experiments suggest that the differences in innervation pattern of the pyloric muscles seen in crab and lobsters are also associated with a change in the neurotransmitter active on these muscles. Possible implications of these findings for phylogenetic relations of decapod crustaceans and for the evolution of neural circuits are discussed.Abbreviations ACh acetylcholine - Carb carbamylcholine - cpv muscles of the cardio-pyloric valve - cpv7n nerve innervating muscle cpv7 - cv muscles of the ventral cardiac ossicles - cv1n nerve innervating muscle cvl - cv2n nerve innervating muscle cv2 - EJP excitatory junctional potential - IC inferior cardiac neuron - IV inferior ventricular neuron - IVN inferior ventricular nerve - LP lateral pyloric neuron - LPG lateral posterior gastric neuron - lvn lateral ventricular nerve - mvn medial ventricular nerve - p muscles of the pylorus - PD pyloric dilator neuron - PD _in intrinsic PD neuron - PD _ex extrinsic PD neuron - pdn pyloric dilator nerve - PY pyloric neuron - pyn pyloric nerve - STG stomatogastric ganglion - VD ventricular dilator neuron     

Neural time-resolution depending on waveform of spikes.

A neural mechanism for detecting temporal coincidence in spike arrival is examined. The neurons fire when some spikes arrive simultaneously. The neurons of the electric fish can detect the coincidence in the microsecond range under hard temporal constraints: the width of spikes is more than 0.5 msec and the arrival time jitters on the scale of tens of microseconds. Since the synaptic connections between those neurons are electronic, the neural circuit is represented by a circuit composed of electric resistances. Computer simulation of behavior of the electric circuit model is presented to show that the nervous system can achieve the fine temporal sensitivity under the constraints. Analysis of the model shows that waveform of spikes is a critical condition to produce the sensitivity; peaks of spikes must be sharp. Also, the effect of the jitter of spike arrival is estimated to indicate that the coincidence detecting mechanism is tolerant of the jitter.