Central pattern generators (CPGs) are neural networks to produce a rich multiplicity of
rhythmic activity types like walking, breathing and swim locomotion. Basis principles of the
underlying mechanisms of rhythm generation in CPGs remain yet insuciently understood.
Interactive pairing experimental and modeling studies have proven to be vital to unlock-
ing insights into operational and dynamical principles of CPGs and support the consensus
that the most of essential structural and functional elements in vertebrate and invertebrate
nervous systems are shared.
We have developed a family of highly-detailed, biologically plausible CPG models using
the extensive data intracellularly recorded from constituent interneurons of the swim CPG
of the sea slug Melibe leonina. We also have deduced fundamental properties needed for the
devised Hodgkin-Huxley type neuronal models with specic slow-fast dynamics to become
qualitatively and quantitatively similar to biological CPG interneurons and their responses
to parameter and external perturbations. We have studied the onset and robustness of
rhythmogenesis of network bursting the CPG circuits comprised of tonic spiking interneurons
coupled with mixed inhibitory/excitatory, slow chemical synapses. We have shown that the
mathematical CPG model can be reduced functionally from an 8-cell circuit to a 4-cell
one using the calibration of timing and weights of synaptic coupling between CPG core
interneurons.
We demonstrate that the developed mathematical network meets all the experimental
fact-checks obtained for the biological Melibe swim CPG from a variety of state-of-the-art
experimental studies including dynamic-clamp recordings, external pulses perturbations as
well as from its forced behaviors under applications of neuro-blockers such as curare and
TTX.
Our model and developed mathematical approaches and computational methodology
allow for laying down theoretical foundations necessary for devising new detailed and phe-
nomenological models of neural circuits and for making testable predictions of dynamics of
rhythmic neural networks from diverse species.
INDEX WORDS: network dynamics, rhythm generation, Melibe Leonina, sea slug swim
CPG, mathematical modeling,swim locomotion, half-center oscillator,
sea slug, rhythmogenesis, bifurcation analysis, slow synapses, modu-
lar networking |