NSF Award
9723137
Lay Abstract PI: Kleinhaus, Anna Proposal Number: IBN-9723137 This project examines the neural mechanisms underlying feeding behavior as a model for examining how the nervous system switches between behaviors in an adaptive, goal- directed fashion. Feeding in most organisms includes an appetitive phase and a comsumatory phase. The appetitive phase includes detection of food and arousal, followed by directed locomotion. This aspect of the behavior is dependent upon the integration of signals from multiple sensory systems that provide information about the external environment. The consumatory phase consists of ingestion of the meal. This aspect of the behavior is generated by the orderly activity of interconnected neurons the activity of which yields the coordinated activity of muscles. This project identifies the individual neurons responsible for these behaviors and way they are connected to generate the behaviors associated with different phases of feeding. Experiments determine whether the same neurons are involved in both aspects of feeding or whether there are separate neurons for each phase. The project furthers the understanding of the way that the nervous system uses and adapts neurons to different functional roles and switches from one class of activity to another as complex behavior unfolds.
