[The neurochemical mechanisms regulating the burst activity in isolated endogenous oscillators in the snail: the role of monoamines and opioid peptides]

Abstract

Electrical activity of three different isolated identified bursting neurons in the Helix brain is studied. A new method for isolation of identified neurons is worked out. The data obtained demonstrate that all three neurons are endogenous oscillators: isolated neurons reveal spontaneous changes from inactive condition to regular activity, from regular activity to bursting one and on the contrary. Moreover it is shown that bursting activity in all three isolated neurons can be regulated by the same neurochemical agents: serotonin, enkephalins; combined action of dopamine and enkephalins stimulates bursting activity in these neurons, while dopamine inhibits it. The possible role of these neurochemical mechanisms in generation of rhythm for different rhythmical functions is discussed.