NEURONAL-ACTIVITY IN NEUROSECRETORY CELLS OF FLESHFLY, SARCOPHAGA-BULLATA

Microelectrode recording and computer-based analytical techniques were used to investigate the activity patterns of neurosecretory cells (NSC) in the insect protocerebral neurosecretory system. Although the spike activity of NSC could change with time, 3 basic types of activity patterns were found, designated silent, regular and irregular. These patterns were detected both centrally and at the release site, the corpus cardiacum. Extracellular recording combined with mainpulation of Mg2+ in the neuron environment showed that NSC activity patterns represented the summed effects of endogenously-generated activity, synaptic inputs from the CNS and connections between the NSC themselves. Cmpomputer-based analytical techniques were used to determine the sources of synaptic input to the NSC. Optic, ocellar, antennal and thoracico-abdominal pathways contributed inputs to NSC.