QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

HOME  |   SEARCH  |   ARCHIVE  |   SUBSCRIBE  |   CONTACT  |   HELP

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit an eLetter Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (25) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Modney, B. K. Articles by Muller, K. J. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Modney, B. K. Articles by Muller, K. J.

 Previous Article  |  Next Article 

Volume 17, Number 16, Issue of August 15, 1997 pp. 6478-6482
Copyright ©1997 Society for Neuroscience

Regeneration of a Central Synapse Restores Nonassociative Learning

Received April 8, 1997; revised June 2, 1997; accepted June 2, 1997.

Barbara K. Modney¹, Christie L. Sahley², and Kenneth J. Muller³

¹ Department of Biology, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio 44115, ² Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, and ³ Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33136

Sensitization is a form of nonassociative learning in which a strong or noxious stimulus persistently enhances the response produced by a weaker stimulus. In the leech Hirudo medicinalis, the S-interneuron is required for sensitization of the shortening response. A single S-cell axon was surgically separated from its sole synaptic partner, the neighboring S-cell. This consistently eliminated sensitization without impairing reflexive shortening itself, as measured in semi-intact specimens. Sensitization of the shortening reflex returned after 3 weeks when the severed axon grew and regenerated its specific electrical synapse within the nerve cord, as shown by restored conduction of impulses between S-cells. This confirms the essential role of one neuron, the S-cell, in sensitization, and it demonstrates that regeneration of the synapse between S-cells restores this example of nonassociative learning.

Key words: invertebrate learning; leech; regeneration; nerve repair; nonassociative conditioning; plasticity; axotomy; Hirudo medicinalis; S-cell; synapse regeneration

This article has been cited by other articles:

				B. D. Burrell and K. M. Crisp Serotonergic Modulation of Afterhyperpolarization in a Neuron That Contributes to Learning in the Leech J Neurophysiol, February 1, 2008; 99(2): 605 - 616. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. M. Crisp and K. J. Muller A 3-synapse positive feedback loop regulates the excitability of an interneuron critical for sensitization in the leech. J. Neurosci., March 29, 2006; 26(13): 3524 - 3531. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. D. Burrell and C. L. Sahley Serotonin Mediates Learning-Induced Potentiation of Excitability J Neurophysiol, December 1, 2005; 94(6): 4002 - 4010. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. L. Moss, A. D. Fuller, C. L. Sahley, and B. D. Burrell Serotonin Modulates Axo-Axonal Coupling Between Neurons Critical for Learning in the Leech J Neurophysiol, October 1, 2005; 94(4): 2575 - 2589. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. D. Burrell and C. L. Sahley Multiple Forms of Long-Term Potentiation and Long-Term Depression Converge on a Single Interneuron in the Leech CNS J. Neurosci., April 21, 2004; 24(16): 4011 - 4019. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. Lukowiak, Z. Haque, G. Spencer, N. Varshay, S. Sangha, and N. Syed Long-Term Memory Survives Nerve Injury and the Subsequent Regeneration Process Learn. Mem., January 1, 2003; 10(1): 44 - 54. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. D. Burrell, C. L. Sahley, and K. J. Muller Differential Effects of Serotonin Enhance Activity of an Electrically Coupled Neural Network J Neurophysiol, June 1, 2002; 87(6): 2889 - 2895. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. A. Baccus, C. L. Sahley, and K. J. Muller Multiple Sites of Action Potential Initiation Increase Neuronal Firing Rate J Neurophysiol, September 1, 2001; 86(3): 1226 - 1236. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. D. Burrell, C. L. Sahley, and K. J. Muller Non-Associative Learning and Serotonin Induce Similar Bi-Directional Changes in Excitability of a Neuron Critical for Learning in the Medicinal Leech J. Neurosci., February 15, 2001; 21(4): 1401 - 1412. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. M. Kumar, D. M. Porterfield, K. J. Muller, P. J. S. Smith, and C. L. Sahley Nerve Injury Induces a Rapid Efflux of Nitric Oxide (NO) Detected with a Novel NO Microsensor J. Neurosci., January 1, 2001; 21(1): 215 - 220. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. A. Baccus, B. D. Burrell, C. L. Sahley, and K. J. Muller Action Potential Reflection and Failure at Axon Branch Points Cause Stepwise Changes in EPSPs in a Neuron Essential for Learning J Neurophysiol, March 1, 2000; 83(3): 1693 - 1700. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. K. Shaw and W. B. Kristan Jr. Relative Roles of the S Cell Network and Parallel Interneuronal Pathways in the Whole-Body Shortening Reflex of the Medicinal Leech J Neurophysiol, September 1, 1999; 82(3): 1114 - 1123. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				Y. Wang, J. A. Strong, and C. L. Sahley Modulatory Effects of Myomodulin on the Excitability and Membrane Currents in Retzius Cells of the Leech J Neurophysiol, July 1, 1999; 82(1): 216 - 225. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. D. Burrell and C. L. Sahley Generalization of Habituation and Intrinsic Sensitization in the Leech Learn. Mem., November 1, 1998; 5(6): 405 - 419. [Abstract] [Full Text]

Home  |   Search  |   Archive  |   Subscribe  |   Contact  |   Help