RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Classical conditioning alters the efficacy of identified gill motor neurones in producing gill withdrawal movements in Aplysia
JF Journal of Experimental Biology
JO J. Exp. Biol.
FD The Company of Biologists Ltd
SP 273
OP 285
VO 140
IS 1
A1 Lukowiak, K.
A1 Colebrook, E.
YR 1988
UL http://jeb.biologists.org/content/140/1/273.abstract
AB In a semi-intact preparation of Aplysia californica Cooper, classical conditioning training leads to changes in the synaptic strength at the sensory-motor neurone synapse. However, these changes are neither necessary nor sufficient to bring about the observed behavioural changes of the gill withdrawal reflex. We therefore tested whether the ability of a gill motor neurone to elicit a gill withdrawal response was altered following classical conditioning training of the reflex. We found that following classical conditioning training, the ability of a gill motor neurone to elicit a gill withdrawal response was significantly potentiated. In addition, in control preparations which did not receive classical conditioning training, the ability of a gill motor neurone to elicit a gill response was decreased. Thus, associative learning of this reflex appears to involve alteration in neuronal activity at loci distal to the sensory-motor neurone synapse.