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The interaction of positive and negative sensory feedback loops in dynamic regulation of a motor pattern

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Abstract

In many rhythmic behaviors, phasic sensory feedback modifies the motor pattern. This modification is assumed to depend on feedback sign (positive vs. negative). While on a phenomenological level feedback sign is well defined, many sensory pathways also process antagonistic, and possibly contradictory, sensory information. We here model the locust flight pattern generator and proprioceptive feedback provided by the tegula wing receptor to test the functional significance of sensory pathways processing antagonistic information. We demonstrate that the tegula provides delayed positive feedback via interneuron 301, while all other pathways provide negative feedback. Contradictory to previous assumptions, the increase of wing beat frequency when the tegula is activated during flight is due to the positive feedback. By use of an abstract model we reveal that the regulation of motor pattern frequency by sensory feedback critically depends on the interaction of positive and negative feedback, and thus on the weighting of antagonistic pathways.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by a scholarship from the “Studienstiftung des Deutschen Volkes” to Jessica Ausborn. The University of Ulm provided infrastructure, primarily regarding the modeling project. Particular thanks go to Wolfgang Mader who was not only an important partner for discussion but maintained and advanced the modeling tools. We thank Stefanie Rukavina for helpful discussions.

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  1. Jessica Ausborn

    Present address: Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, 17177, Sweden

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  1. Institute of Neurobiology, Ulm University, Ulm, 89069, Germany

    Harald Wolf & Wolfgang Stein

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  1. Jessica Ausborn
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  2. Harald Wolf
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  3. Wolfgang Stein
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Correspondence to Wolfgang Stein.

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Ausborn, J., Wolf, H. & Stein, W. The interaction of positive and negative sensory feedback loops in dynamic regulation of a motor pattern. J Comput Neurosci 27, 245–257 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10827-009-0140-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10827-009-0140-z

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