Unknown

Dataset Information

0

Calcium dynamics regulating the timing of decision-making in C. elegans.


ABSTRACT: Brains regulate behavioral responses with distinct timings. Here we investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the timing of decision-making during olfactory navigation in Caenorhabditis elegans. We find that, based on subtle changes in odor concentrations, the animals appear to choose the appropriate migratory direction from multiple trials as a form of behavioral decision-making. Through optophysiological, mathematical and genetic analyses of neural activity under virtual odor gradients, we further find that odor concentration information is temporally integrated for a decision by a gradual increase in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i), which occurs via L-type voltage-gated calcium channels in a pair of olfactory neurons. In contrast, for a reflex-like behavioral response, [Ca2+]i rapidly increases via multiple types of calcium channels in a pair of nociceptive neurons. Thus, the timing of neuronal responses is determined by cell type-dependent involvement of calcium channels, which may serve as a cellular basis for decision-making.

SUBMITTER: Tanimoto Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5441874 | biostudies-literature | 2017 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

altmetric image

Publications


Brains regulate behavioral responses with distinct timings. Here we investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the timing of decision-making during olfactory navigation in <i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i>. We find that, based on subtle changes in odor concentrations, the animals appear to choose the appropriate migratory direction from multiple trials as a form of behavioral decision-making. Through optophysiological, mathematical and genetic analyses of neural activity under virt  ...[more]

Similar Datasets

| S-EPMC2867686 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC9270850 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC6462998 | biostudies-other
| S-EPMC3154120 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC7544903 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC4920316 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC5666022 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC5147516 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC31342 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC6060154 | biostudies-literature