Skip to main content
Log in

Mathematical models for the swimming pattern of a lamprey

II. Control of the central pattern generator by the brainstem

  • Published:
Biological Cybernetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

It is known that a lamprey brainstem receives efference copies from the central pattern generator (CPG), by which the control signal from the brainstem to the CPG is modulated. We therefore discuss the feedback control system of a lamprey CPG in this article. Three topics are focused on. First, it is shown by a model of two oscillators that phasic control of the CPG is effective in controlling the phase difference between oscillators. Second, a feedback-control mechanism of a lamprey CPG through a brainstem is discussed, giving consideration to the signal conduction time. We will explain that the CPG is capable of conserving the constant-phase relation in spite of the change in frequency when the brainstem receives the efference copy from the CPG and sends control signals to the neck region. Third, a learning scheme to acquire an appropriate control system for locomotion is proposed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Arbib MA (1989) The metaphorical brain 2, Neural networks and beyond. Wiley, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Bell CC (1984) Central physiology. In: Electroreception in mormyrid fish, Wiley, New York, pp 423–452

    Google Scholar 

  • Buchanan JT, Cohen AH (1982) Activities of identified interneurons, motoneurons and muscle fibers during fictive swimming in the lamprey and effects of reticulospinal and dorsal cell stimulation. J Neurophysiol 47:948–960

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dubuc R, Grillner S (1989) The role of spinal cord inputs in modulating the activity of reticulospinal neurons during fictive locomotion in the lamprey. Brain Res 483:196–200

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Grillner S (1981) Control of locomotion in bipeds, tetrapods and fish. In: Brooks VB (eds) Handbook of Physiology, sect. 1. The nervous system II. Motor control. American Physiological Society, Waverly Press, Maryland, pp 1179–1236

    Google Scholar 

  • Grillner S, Wallen P, Brodin L (1991) Neuronal network generating locomotor behavior in lamprey: circuitry, transmitters, membrane, properties and simulation. Annu Rev Neurosci 14:169–199

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Harris-Warrick RM (1988) Modulation of pattern generators. In: Cohen AH, Rossignol S, Grillner S (eds) Neural control of rhythmic movements in vertebrates, Wiley, New York, pp 285–331

    Google Scholar 

  • Kasicki S, Grillner S, Ohta Y, Dubuc R, Brodin L (1989) Phasic modulation of reticulospinal neurones during locomotion and other types of spinal motor activity in lamprey. Brain Res 484:203–216

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nishii J, Uno Y, Suzuki R (1994) Mathematical models for the swimming pattern of a lamprey. I: Analysis of collective oscillators with time delayed interaction and multiple coupling. Biol Cybern 72:1–9

    Google Scholar 

  • Rand RH, Cohen AH, Holmes PJ (1988) Systems of coupled oscillators as models of central pattern generators. In: Cohen AH, Rossignol S, Grillner S (eds) Neural control of rhythmic movements in vertebrates, Wiley, New York, pp 333–367

    Google Scholar 

  • Rovainen CM (1967) Physiological and anatomical studies on large neurons of central nervous system on the sea lamprey (Petromyzon Marinus). II: Dorsal cells and giant interneurons. J Neurophysiol 30:1024–1042

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rovainen CM (1974) Synaptic interactions of reticulospinal neurons and nerve cells in the spinal cord of the sea lamprey. J Comp Neurol154:207–223

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wallen P, Williams TL (1984) Fictive locomotion in the lamprey spinal cord in vitro compared with swimming in the intact and spinal animals. J Physiol 347:225–239

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Nishii, J., Uno, Y. & Suzuki, R. Mathematical models for the swimming pattern of a lamprey. Biol. Cybern. 72, 11–18 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00206234

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00206234

Keywords

Navigation