Abstract
The extent of electrical transmission (ET) between symmetrical neurons was investigated in the segmental ganglion of the ventral nerve chain ofHirudo medicinalis by simultaneous recording of intracellular potentials in two neurons while pulses of polarizing current were sent alternately into each neuron. Among 12 pairs of symmetrical neurons identified on the ventral side of the ganglion there were five pairs with symmetrical ET having an attenuation factor (Af) of 2.3–10. Among small unidentified symmetrical neurons on the dorsal and ventral aspects of the ganglion, there were at least 14 different pairs with symmetrical ET for which Af=9–50. The electrically connected neurons all possessed background activity. It was concluded that ET with these Af values is physiologically significant for the neuronal processes in the ganglion, and that the wide extent of ET between individual symmetrical neurons is evidence of its important role in the integrative activity of the leech central nervous system (CNS).
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Fomina, M.S., Tereshkov, O.D. Electrical transmission between symmetrical neurons in leech ganglia. Neurosci Behav Physiol 5, 91–96 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01163384
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01163384