The excitatory motor unit of Achatina fulica is composed of five identified cardioregulatory motor neurons: three tonically active neurons (TAN-1, -2 and -3), a periodically oscillating neuron (PON) and a VG1 neuron. High frequency discharges in TAN neurons evoked slow depolarization waves. The PON elicited biphasic excitatory post synaptic potentials (EPSP). One spike in PON was sufficient to increase heart rate for several minutes. VG1 elicited discrete fast EPSP in the myocardium. Bursts of spikes from VG1 resulted in a summation of EPSP and transiently increased heart. VG1 inhibited spontaneous electrical activity in PON. Our results suggest that the use of semi-intact preparations allow elucidation of new functional cardioregulatory properties of intact neural networks.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)279-290
Number of pages12
JournalJournal of Brain Research
Volume38
Issue number3
StatePublished - 1 Dec 1997

    Scopus subject areas

  • Neuroscience(all)
  • Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology

    Research areas

  • Achatina fulica, Cardioregulatory neurones, Heart spikes, Postsynaptic potentials

ID: 39917232