Multiplexing of Motor Information in the Discharge of a Collision Detecting Neuron during Escape Behaviors

摘要: Summary Locusts possess an identified neuron, the descending contralateral movement detector (DCMD), conveying visual information about impending collision from brain to thoracic motor centers. We built a telemetry system simultaneously record, in freely behaving animals, activity of DCMD and motoneurons involved jump execution. Cocontraction antagonistic leg muscles, required preparatory phase, was triggered after firing rate crossed threshold. Thereafter, number spikes predicted precisely motoneuron occurrence. Additionally, time peak that jump. Ablation experiments suggest DCMD, together with nearly identical ipsilateral is responsible for timely execution escape. Thus, three distinct features are multiplexed single neuron's sensory response collision—firing threshold, time, spike count—probably control aspects escape behaviors.