Download - Neuropad: An Identified Neuron Database for Insect Segmental Ganglia Christopher Comer John Dowd
Neuropad: An Identified Neuron Database for Insect Segmental
Ganglia
Christopher Comer John Dowd
Motivations:
• Store anatomical records*
(with some functional data)
• Facilitate comparative studies
*experimental observations, but also canonical descriptions of cells
Background:
1.
2.Workshop1994Jacobs et al.
Target: Orthopteroid Insects
Example of record for classic insect neuron DCMD (from prototype version of Neuropad)
Search records by:
• Genus or species
• Name or ID of cell
• Sensory modalities
• Anatomical properties
Soma position
Decussation
Neurite pattern (similarity)
How schematic anatomical summary is entered: 1. specify soma location within ganglionic grid
How schematic anatomical summary is entered: 2a. Point and click to render main neurites
How schematic anatomical summary is entered: 2b. Point and click to render main neurites
How schematic anatomical summary is entered: 2c. Point and click to finish rendering neurites
Finished Product (Sa = supraesophageal ganglion (brain), Sb = subesophageal ganglion, T1 = first thoracic ganglion etc. P, D, T = proto- deutero- and trito-cerebrum)
Example of record in current version of Neuropad:Has schematic anatomy and hi-res version from published description
Using Using NeuropadNeuropad schematics to summarize DCMD schematics to summarize DCMD Anatomy Anatomy (and suggest hypotheses about functional (and suggest hypotheses about functional correlations):correlations):
Perplaneta Locusta GryllusPerplaneta Locusta Gryllus
Result from comparison: Cerebral anatomy of Result from comparison: Cerebral anatomy of cricket DCMD similar to cockroach, cricket DCMD similar to cockroach, notnot locust: locust: (data from Leung and Comer)(data from Leung and Comer)
Ultimately….. Design of Neuron Databases
should allow us to:
• Enter experimental observations easily
• Test ideas on circuit design
• Understand the evolution of neuronal circuits