Receptive fields of cerebellar cells receiving exteroceptive input in a Gymnotid fish. 1975

J Bastian

Single neurons in the caudal lobe of the cerebellum of the weakly electric fish Apteronotus albifrons respond to distortions in the normal electric field produced by the animal. Moving plastic or metal objects as well as a simpler stimulus, a moving electrical dipole, produce adequate distortions of the fish's field to cause the cerebellar cells to respond. The moving dipole stimulated small enough areas of the fish's skin, as determined by the responses of single electroreceptors, to allow maps of the receptive fields of single cerebellar cells to be produced. The receptive fields seen varied widely in complexity from relatively small excitatory or inhibitory areas to larger fields containing multiple excitatory and inhibitory areas usually bordering one another. Most cells studied displayed directional responses. Usually qualitatively different responses resulted from opposite directions of movement, and less frequently units were seen in which no response resulted from movement opposite the direction which caused responses; Varying the rate of stimulus movement caused only small changes in the responses of cerebellar cells; however, motionless stimuli applied over areas of skin known to respond to moving stimuli produced weaker responses of the appropriate sign for that area. Movement seems to be an important component of the stimulus for these cells. Cells were also seen which responded to visual as well as to electroreceptive input. Responses to each of these two modalities presented above were quite different. The cells recorded from frequently displayed burst discharges similar to those produced by Purkinje cells in other lower vertebrates, and most of the cells studied are believed to be Purkinje cells. A somatotopic relationship was found between the position of the center of a receptive field on the fish's body and the position of the cell in the brain. All of the results obtained are compatible with the hypothesis that the caudal lobe of the cerebellum is processing electroreceptive information related to object detection.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009068 Movement The act, process, or result of passing from one place or position to another. It differs from LOCOMOTION in that locomotion is restricted to the passing of the whole body from one place to another, while movement encompasses both locomotion but also a change of the position of the whole body or any of its parts. Movement may be used with reference to humans, vertebrate and invertebrate animals, and microorganisms. Differentiate also from MOTOR ACTIVITY, movement associated with behavior. Movements
D009435 Synaptic Transmission The communication from a NEURON to a target (neuron, muscle, or secretory cell) across a SYNAPSE. In chemical synaptic transmission, the presynaptic neuron releases a NEUROTRANSMITTER that diffuses across the synaptic cleft and binds to specific synaptic receptors, activating them. The activated receptors modulate specific ion channels and/or second-messenger systems in the postsynaptic cell. In electrical synaptic transmission, electrical signals are communicated as an ionic current flow across ELECTRICAL SYNAPSES. Neural Transmission,Neurotransmission,Transmission, Neural,Transmission, Synaptic
D009862 Online Systems Computer-based Information systems having real-time remote access to information or processes. On-Line Systems,On Line Systems,On-Line System,Online System,System, On-Line,System, Online,Systems, On-Line,Systems, Online
D011984 Sensory Receptor Cells Specialized afferent neurons capable of transducing sensory stimuli into NERVE IMPULSES to be transmitted to the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM. Sometimes sensory receptors for external stimuli are called exteroceptors; for internal stimuli are called interoceptors and proprioceptors. Nerve Endings, Sensory,Neurons, Sensory,Neuroreceptors,Receptors, Neural,Neural Receptors,Receptors, Sensory,Sensory Neurons,Sensory Receptors,Nerve Ending, Sensory,Neural Receptor,Neuron, Sensory,Neuroreceptor,Receptor Cell, Sensory,Receptor Cells, Sensory,Receptor, Neural,Receptor, Sensory,Sensory Nerve Ending,Sensory Nerve Endings,Sensory Neuron,Sensory Receptor,Sensory Receptor Cell
D001931 Brain Mapping Imaging techniques used to colocalize sites of brain functions or physiological activity with brain structures. Brain Electrical Activity Mapping,Functional Cerebral Localization,Topographic Brain Mapping,Brain Mapping, Topographic,Functional Cerebral Localizations,Mapping, Brain,Mapping, Topographic Brain
D002531 Cerebellum The part of brain that lies behind the BRAIN STEM in the posterior base of skull (CRANIAL FOSSA, POSTERIOR). It is also known as the "little brain" with convolutions similar to those of CEREBRAL CORTEX, inner white matter, and deep cerebellar nuclei. Its function is to coordinate voluntary movements, maintain balance, and learn motor skills. Cerebella,Corpus Cerebelli,Parencephalon,Cerebellums,Parencephalons
D004557 Electric Organ In about 250 species of electric fishes, modified muscle fibers forming disklike multinucleate plates arranged in stacks like batteries in series and embedded in a gelatinous matrix. A large torpedo ray may have half a million plates. Muscles in different parts of the body may be modified, i.e., the trunk and tail in the electric eel, the hyobranchial apparatus in the electric ray, and extrinsic eye muscles in the stargazers. Powerful electric organs emit pulses in brief bursts several times a second. They serve to stun prey and ward off predators. A large torpedo ray can produce of shock of more than 200 volts, capable of stunning a human. (Storer et al., General Zoology, 6th ed, p672) Electric Organs,Organ, Electric,Organs, Electric
D004558 Electric Stimulation Use of electric potential or currents to elicit biological responses. Stimulation, Electric,Electrical Stimulation,Electric Stimulations,Electrical Stimulations,Stimulation, Electrical,Stimulations, Electric,Stimulations, Electrical
D005399 Fishes A group of cold-blooded, aquatic vertebrates having gills, fins, a cartilaginous or bony endoskeleton, and elongated bodies covered with scales.
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
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