Effects of nitric oxide on proprioceptive signaling

We have analysed the effects of the neuromodulator nitric oxide (NO) on proprioceptive information processing by ascending intersegmental interneurons that form part of the local circuits within the terminal abdominal ganglion of the crayfish. NO modulates the synaptic inputs to ascending interneurons, enhancing the amplitude of class I interneurons and reducing the amplitude of class II interneurons. Repetitive proprioceptive stimulation leads to rapid depression in a specific set of identified interneurons but not in others. Bath application of a nitric oxide scavenger, PTIO, causes a significant decrease in the rate of depression of the interneurons showing a rapid depression, independent of interneuron class, but has no effect on the dynamic responses of the interneurons that show little initial depression. These results indicate that NO exerts multiple effects at the very first stage of synaptic integration in local circuits.