Summary
Optical methods for monitoring neuron activity were developed because these methods lend themselves to simultaneous multiple-site measurements. With the use of new voltage-sensitive dyes, the dye-related pharmacology and photodynamic damage appear to be relatively unimportant. Using multiple-site measurements made with a 124-element photodiode array, we estimated that approximately 30 of the 200 neurons present in theNavanax buccal ganglion make action potentials during feeding and that approximately 300 of the 1100 neurons present in theNavanax buccal ganglion make are active during the gill-withdrawal reflex. The fact that a light mechanical touch to the siphon skin activated such a large number of neurons in the abdominal ganglion suggests that understanding the neuronal basis of the gill-withdrawal reflex and its behavioral plasticity may be forbiddingly difficult.
Similar content being viewed by others
Literature
Boyle, M. B., Cohen, L. B., Macagno, E. R., and Orbach, H. S., The number and size of neurons in the CNS of gastropod molluscs and their suitability for optical recording of activity. Brain Res.266 (1983) 305–317.
Coggeshall, R. E., A light and electron microscope study of the abdominal ganglion ofAplysia californica. J. Neurophysiol.30 (1967) 1263–1287.
Cohen, L. B., and Lesher, S., Optical monitoring of membrane potential: methods of multisite optical measurement. Soc. gen. Physiol. Ser.40 (1986) 71–99.
Cohen, L. B., and Salzberg, B. M., Optical measurement of membrane potential. Rev. Physiol. Biochem. Pharmac.83 (1978) 35–88.
Grinvald, A., Real-time optical mapping of neuronal activity: from single growth cones to the intact mammalian brain. A. Rev. Neurosci.8 (1985) 263–305.
Grinvald, A., Cohen, L. B., Lesher, S., and Boyle, M. B., Simultaneous optical monitoring of activity of many neurons in invertebrate ganglia using a 124-element photodiode array. J. Neurophysiol.45 (1981) 829–840.
Kupfermann, I., Pinsker, H., Castellucci, V., and Kandel, E. R., Central and peripheral control of gill movements inAplysia. Science174 (1971) 1252–1256.
Levitan, H., Tauc, L., and Segundo, J. P., Electrical transmission among neurons of a mollusc,Navanax inermis. J. gen. Physiol.55 (1970) 484–496.
London, J. A., Cohen, L. B., and Zecevic, D., Simultaneous optical recording from many cells fromAplysia abdominal ganglia during the gill-withdrawal reflex. Soc. Neurosci. Abstr.12 (1986) 397.
London, J. A., Zecevic, D., and Cohen, L. B., Simultaneous optical recording of activity from many neurons during feeding inNavanax. J. Neurosci.7 (1987) 649–661.
Macagno, E., Number and distribution of neurons in leech segmental ganglia. J. comp. Neurol.190 (1980) 283–302.
Paine, R. T., Food recognition and predation on opisthobranchs byNavanax inermis. Veliger6 (1961) 1–9.
Salzberg, B. M., Optical recording of electrical activity in neurons using molecular probes, in: Current Methods in Cellular Neurobiology, pp. 139–187. Eds. J. L. Barker and J. F. McKelvy. Wiley, New York 1983.
Salzberg, B. M., Davila, H. V., and Cohen, L. B., Optical recording of impulses in individual neurones of an invertebrate central nervous system. Nature246 (1973) 508–509.
Salzberg, B. M., Grinvald, A., Cohen, L. B., Davila, H. V., and Ross, W. N., Optical recording of neuronal activity in an invertebrate central nervous system: simultaneous monitoring of several neurons. J. Neurophysiol.40 (1977) 1281–1291.
Spira, M. E., Spray, D. C., and Bennett, M. V. L., Synaptic organization of expansion motoneurons ofNavanax inermis. Brain Res.195 (1980) 241–269.
Woolacott, M., Patterned neural activity associated with prey capture inNavanax. J. comp. Physiol.94 (1974) 69–84.
Wu, J.-Y., Zecevic, D., London, J. A., Rioult, M., and Cohen, L. B., Optical measurement of neuron activity during the gill withdrawal reflex inAplysia. Soc. Neurosci. Abstr.13 (1987) 817.
Zecevic, D., London, J. A., and Cohen, L. B., Simultaneous optical recording from many cells fromAplysia abdominal ganglia using fluorescence. Neurosci. Lett. Suppl.22 (1985) 370.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Wu, J.Y., London, J.A., Zecevic, D. et al. Optical monitoring of activity of many neurons in invertebrate ganglia during behaviors. Experientia 44, 369–376 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01940529
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01940529