The functional role of octopaminergic neurons in insect motor behavior.
The role of efferent, octopaminergic dorsal unpaired median (DUM) neurons in insects is examined by recording from them during motor behaviour. This population of neuromodulatory neurons is divided into sub-populations which are specifically activated or inhibited during ongoing motor behavior. These neurons are always activated in parallel to the respective motor circuits, and in addition to their modulatory effects on synaptic transmission may also cause metabolic changes in their target tissues.
Animals↗