Higher centers' control of motor activity in cockroaches

R. Gal, M. Kaiser, S. Emanuel, F. Libersat

Research output: Contribution to journalMeeting Abstract

Abstract

Background: The parasitoid wasp Ampulex compressa uses cockroaches (Periplaneta americana) as food supply for its offspring. The wasp penetrates the cockroach's head capsule with its stinger and injects venom directly inside the brain, in a neuropile called the central complex (CC) and some in the mushroom bodies (MB), causing the cockroach first to groom extensively and then to become hypokinetic. Previous work shows that the venom contains neurotoxins that decrease neuronal activity. To mimic venom effect, we used a reversible non-selective sodium channel blocker (Procaine) in order to induce a local anesthesia of the CC or the MB separately and evaluate specific changes in behavioral activity.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)S40-S41
Number of pages2
JournalJournal of Molecular Neuroscience
Volume53
Issue numberSupplement 1
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2014

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