Interganglionic communication by spiking and nonspiking fibers in same neuron.

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Two neurons (OD1 and CD1) in the esophageal ganglion of the rock lobster [Jasus lalandii] are rhythmically active, producing bursts in phase with the esophageal rhythm. This rhythm is generated by oscillators located in the commissural ganglia, which are connected to the esophageal ganglia by the paired superior esophageal nerves (sons) and inferior esophageal nerves (ions). The rhythmical activation of OD1 and CD1 persists when both sons were cut. When the sons cut, the rhythmical activation of OD1 and CD1 is not disrupted by blocking synapses in the esophageal ganglion nor by blocking conduction of spikes in the ions. Cutting both the sons and ions interrupts the rhythmical activation. Morphological studies show that both OD1 and CD1 have fibers in the ions, but OD1 or CD1 spikes were never recorded in these nerves. Antidromic spikes were never proved in the cell bodies by stimulating the ions. The OD1 and CD1 activation occurs via their ion fibers, and these fibers function without spikes. This explains how the somatofugal spike-initiating zone of OD1 can be controlled and can produce esophageal bursts under the control of the oscillators located in the commissural ganglia. The demonstration that a neuron can possess 2 branches, 1 spiking and 1 nonspiking connecting the same 2 ganglia, suggests 1 mechanism whereby functional partitioning and compartmentalization can occur within a single neuron.