
NSF Org: |
IOS Division Of Integrative Organismal Systems |
Recipient: |
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Initial Amendment Date: | July 14, 1999 |
Latest Amendment Date: | May 24, 2001 |
Award Number: | 9904424 |
Award Instrument: | Continuing Grant |
Program Manager: |
Diane M. Witt
IOS Division Of Integrative Organismal Systems BIO Directorate for Biological Sciences |
Start Date: | September 1, 1999 |
End Date: | August 31, 2003 (Estimated) |
Total Intended Award Amount: | $270,282.00 |
Total Awarded Amount to Date: | $270,282.00 |
Funds Obligated to Date: |
FY 2000 = $86,191.00 FY 2001 = $88,708.00 |
History of Investigator: |
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Recipient Sponsored Research Office: |
660 S MILL AVENUE STE 204 TEMPE AZ US 85281-3670 (480)965-5479 |
Sponsor Congressional District: |
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Primary Place of Performance: |
660 S MILL AVENUE STE 204 TEMPE AZ US 85281-3670 |
Primary Place of
Performance Congressional District: |
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Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): |
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Parent UEI: |
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NSF Program(s): |
BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE, NEURAL SYSTEMS CLUSTER |
Primary Program Source: |
app-0101 app-0199 |
Program Reference Code(s): |
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Program Element Code(s): |
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Award Agency Code: | 4900 |
Fund Agency Code: | 4900 |
Assistance Listing Number(s): | 47.074 |
ABSTRACT
The proposed project involves an electrophysiological investigation of two
types of locomotory speed changes in the pteropod mollusk Clione limacina.
Clione exhibits both a dramatic speed change, analogous to a gait change in
higher animals, and a more subtle speed change, equivalent to a change in
speed within a single gait. Since the nervous system of Clione is
relatively simple, we can investigate these speed changes at a level not
allowed in higher animals. This model system should provide background
information on the reorganization of central circuitry in rhythmic
locomotory systems that allows increases in the frequency and strength of
locomotory movements. We will use a variety of techniques, including
electrophysiological recordings of identified neurons, force recordings
from the locomotory musculature and immunohistochemical identification of
neurons that release serotonin, a prime modulator that differentially
triggers the two types of speed changes in Clione.
Basic research of this type uncovers "rules" of how rhythmic behaviors are
organized at the circuit and cellular levels, and how variability in these
behaviors is achieved by various types of sensory inputs. These rules can
be used in investigations of rhythmic behaviors in higher, more complex
animals. In addition, investigation of simple model locomotory systems
provides useful information for the fields of robotics and
computer-assisted muscle stimulation in para- and quadriplegics.
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