Responses to mechanosensory input in the arm
(A) The arm was pinned down onto a Sylgard-coated chamber around the recording area to reduce the spontaneous movement. Axial nerve cord activity was recorded using a suction electrode. Mechanical stimuli were delivered by pressing on the arm proximal to the recording electrode.
(B) Representative responses to proximal stimulation amplitudes of 100, 200, and 300 μm.
(C) The total number of events recorded in response to 100, 200, and 300 μm displacements (N = 7 animals, 5 trials per animal) is significantly greater in the 300 μm displacement group.
(D) The duration of activity was significantly greater with increased stimulation amplitude.
(E) Representative responses to proximal stimulation speeds of 2, 1, and 0.67 μm/s.
(F) The total number of events in response to 2, and 0.67 μm/s deflection (N = 7 animals, 5 trials per animal) proximal to the recording site increased significantly with speed of stimulation.
(G) The duration of activity also increased with significant difference in the duration of activity only being seen between lowest and highest speeds.
(H) Responses to the same stimuli distal to the recording electrode were also captured.
(I) Representative responses to distal stimulation amplitudes of 100, 200, and 300 μm.
(J) The total number of events recorded in response to 100, 200, and 300 μm displacements (N = 7 animals, 5 trials per animal) is significantly greater in the 300 μm displacement group.
(K) The duration of activity in response to 100, 200, and 300 μm displacements (N = 7 animals, 5 trials per animal) distal to the recording site is significantly greater with increasing stimulation amplitude.
(L) Representative responses to distal stimulation speeds of 2, 1, and 0.67 μm/s.
(M). The total number of events in response to 2, 1, and 0.67 μm/s deflections (N = 7 animals, 5 trials per animal) distal to the recording site increased significantly with the speed of stimulation.
(N) The duration of activity also increased with a significant difference in the duration of activity only being seen with the highest speed. Data represent the mean ± SEM; ∗∗p < 0.01, ∗∗∗∗p < 0.0001; one-way ANOVA with Bonferroni post hoc tests.