Animals move by adaptively coordinating the sequential activation of muscles. The circuit mechanisms underlying coordinated locomotion are poorly understood. Here, we report on a novel circuit for the propagation of waves of muscle contraction, using the peristaltic locomotion of Drosophila larvae as a model system. We found an intersegmental chain of synaptically connected neurons, alternating...

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is not therapeutic cure that works by activating complex neural network and engaging inhibitory descending processes in the central nervous system to diminish hyperalgesia . Neuromuscular (NMES) have recommended as supplement for other treatments, such workout, or a stand-alone treatment increase muscle power, decrease knee discomfort, improve ...

The cricket is one of the model animals used to investigate neuronal mechanisms underlying adaptive locomotion. An intact walks mostly with a tripod gait, similar other insects. motor control center leg movements located in thoracic ganglia. In this study, we investigated walking gait patterns crickets whose ventral nerve cords were surgically cut gain an understanding how descending signals fr...

We examined specific receptor/transmitter combinations used at functionally identified synapses in ascending and descending reflex pathways of guinea pig distal colon. Excitatory (EJPs) or inhibitory junction potentials (IJPs) were recorded intracellularly from nicardipine-paralyzed circular smooth muscle in either the oral or anal recording chamber of a three-chambered organ bath, respectively...

Many implementations of adaptive signal processing in the nervous system are likely to require a mechanism for gain control at the single neuron level. To properly adjust the gain of an individual neuron, it may be necessary to use information carried by neurons in other parts of the system. The ability to adjust the gain of neurons in one part of the brain, using control signals arising from a...

Current Topics in Pain: 12th World Congress on Pain edited by José Castro-Lopes IASP Press, Seattle, © 2009 53 It is a general rule that in the nervous system, all forms of activation are balanced by some kind of inactivation or inhibition. Th is principle also applies, of course, to all levels of the nociceptive system, from the activation of nociceptive Aδ or C fi bers to the excitation of no...

BACKGROUND The studies on the mechanisms of ketamine antinociception have led to conflicting results. In this study, the authors investigated the contribution of supraspinal monoaminergic descending inhibitory system to ketamine analgesia for acute nociception and inflammation-induced hyperalgesia. METHODS Male Sprague-Dawley rats were used. The paw withdrawal latencies to radiant heat stimul...

Locomotor networks in the spinal cord are controlled by descending systems which in turn receive feedback signals from ascending systems about the state of the locomotor networks. In lamprey, the ascending system consists of spinobulbar neurons which convey spinal network signals to the two descending systems, the reticulospinal and vestibulospinal neurons. Previous studies showed that spinobul...