What is sensitization in Aplysia?

What is sensitization in Aplysia?

An elementary form of behavioral plasticity in Aplysia (and many other species, including humans) is sensitization. Sensitization is a process that allows an animal to generalize an aversive response elicited by a noxious stimulus to a variety of other, non-noxious stimuli.

How do researchers induce long term memory in Aplysia?

Long-term memory (LTM) is believed to be stored in the brain as changes in synaptic connections. Here, we show that LTM storage and synaptic change can be dissociated. Cocultures of Aplysia sensory and motor neurons were trained with spaced pulses of serotonin, which induces long-term facilitation.

What is Aplysia in psychology?

n. a genus of molluscs that have a very simple nervous system and are often used to study neurophysiology, especially the neurophysiology of learning and memory. [ initially studied by Austrian-born U.S. neuroscientist Eric Kandel (1929– )]

What causes habituation in Aplysia?

Aplysia exhibits a reflexive withdrawal of its gill and siphon in response to weak or moderate tactile stimulation of its skin. Repeated tactile stimulation causes this defensive withdrawal reflex to habituate.

What accounts for the sensitization of the gill-withdrawal reflex in Aplysia?

What accounts for the sensitization of the gill-withdrawal reflex in aplysia? Interneurons release serotonin, which increases the number of vesicles available to release glutamate from the sensory neuron. stimuli that signal whether a particular response will lead to a particular outcome.

How can studying Aplysia help psychologists understand memory?

Scientists have been studying the brain of Aplysia since the 1960s, and the animals have revealed many secrets of learning and memory in humans. “You can work out its neural circuitry and behavior, and then you can train the animal and look for changes that are associated with learning,” Bryne told LiveScience.

What triggers Aplysia metamorphosis?

Aplysia californica rapidly develops over the course of a year. After larvae hatch from egg masses, each free-swimming microorganism is known as a trochophore larva. These larvae swim with hair-like cilia. The larvae drift for 34 days or more until they settle on red algae and undergo metamorphosis into the adult form.

What causes sensitization in an Aplysia?

Sensitization studies in Aplysia have focused chiefly on the withdrawal reflexes of the siphon gill and the tail siphon. The gill, the animal’s respiratory organ, is in the mantle cavity. A stimulus delivered to the siphon elicits withdrawal of both the siphon and the gill: This is the siphon-gill withdrawal reflex.

At what synapse does habituation to gill withdrawal reflex occur in Aplysia?

central sensory-motor synapses
Habituation of the Aplysia gill-withdrawal reflex (and siphon-withdrawal reflex) has been attributed to low-frequency homosynaptic depression at central sensory-motor synapses.

What is serotonin syndrome and what causes it?

Excessive accumulation of serotonin in your body creates the symptoms of serotonin syndrome. Under normal circumstances, nerve cells in your brain and spinal cord (central nervous system) produce serotonin that helps regulate your attention, behavior and body temperature.

Are there any illegal drugs associated with serotonin syndrome?

Certain illegal drugs and dietary supplements also are associated with serotonin syndrome. Serotonin is a chemical your body produces that’s needed for your nerve cells and brain to function. But too much serotonin causes symptoms that can range from mild (shivering and diarrhea) to severe (muscle rigidity, fever and seizures).

When should I go to the doctor for serotonin syndrome?

When to see a doctor. If you suspect you might have serotonin syndrome after starting a new drug or increasing the dose of a drug you’re already taking, call your doctor right away or go to the emergency room. If you have severe or rapidly worsening symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.

Can taking just one antidepressant cause serotonin syndrome?

Although it’s possible that taking just one drug that increases serotonin levels can cause serotonin syndrome in susceptible individuals, this condition occurs most often when you combine certain medications. For example, serotonin syndrome may occur if you take an antidepressant with a migraine medication.