• Rhythm generation, robustness,...

Treffer: Rhythm generation, robustness, and control in stick insect locomotion: modeling and analysis.

Title:
Rhythm generation, robustness, and control in stick insect locomotion: modeling and analysis.
Authors:
Aminzare Z; Department of Mathematics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, 52242, IA, USA. zahra-aminzare@uiowa.edu., Rubin JE; Department of Mathematics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, 15260, PA, USA.
Source:
Journal of computational neuroscience [J Comput Neurosci] 2025 Dec; Vol. 53 (4), pp. 521-549. Date of Electronic Publication: 2025 Oct 02.
Publication Type:
Journal Article
Language:
English
Journal Info:
Publisher: Springer US Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 9439510 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1573-6873 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 09295313 NLM ISO Abbreviation: J Comput Neurosci Subsets: MEDLINE
Imprint Name(s):
Publication: New York : Springer US
Original Publication: Boston : Kluwer Academic Publishers, 1994-
MeSH Terms:
Insecta*/physiology , Locomotion*/physiology , Central Pattern Generators*/physiology , Models, Neurological* , Periodicity*, Motor Neurons/physiology ; Animals ; Computer Simulation
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Grant Information:
2037828,DMS1951095 National Science Foundation; MPS-TSM-00008005 Simons Foundation
Contributed Indexing:
Keywords: Central pattern generator; Escape; Multiple timescale dynamics; Reciprocal inhibition; Release; Robustness
Entry Date(s):
Date Created: 20251002 Date Completed: 20251202 Latest Revision: 20251205
Update Code:
20260130
PubMed Central ID:
PMC12672854
DOI:
10.1007/s10827-025-00913-6
PMID:
41037215
Database:
MEDLINE

Weitere Informationen

Stick insect stepping patterns have been studied for insights about locomotor rhythm generation and control, because the underlying neural system is relatively accessible experimentally and produces a variety of rhythmic outputs. Harnessing the experimental identification of effective interactions among neuronal units involved in stick insect stepping pattern generation, previous studies proposed computational models simulating aspects of stick insect locomotor activity. While these models generate diverse stepping patterns and transitions between them, there has not been an in-depth analysis of the mechanisms underlying their dynamics. In this study, we focus on modeling rhythm generation by the neurons associated with the protraction-retraction, levation-depression, and extension-flexion antagonistic muscle pairs of the mesothoracic (middle) leg of stick insects. Our model features a reduced central pattern generator (CPG) circuit for each joint and includes synaptic interactions among the CPGs; we also consider extensions such as the inclusion of motoneuron pools controlled by the CPG components. The resulting network is described by an 18-dimensional system of ordinary differential equations. We use fast-slow decomposition, projection into interacting phase planes, and a heavy reliance on input-dependent nullclines to analyze this model. Specifically, we identify and eludicate dynamic mechanisms capable of generating a stepping rhythm, with a sequence of biologically constrained phase relationships, in a three-joint stick insect limb model. Furthermore, we explain the robustness to parameter changes and tunability of these patterns. In particular, the model allows us to identify possible mechanisms by which neuromodulatory and top-down effects could tune stepping pattern output frequency.
(© 2025. The Author(s).)

Declarations. Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interests.