Published April 24, 2018 | Version v1
Dataset Open

Data from: Calcium dynamics regulating the timing of decision-making in C. elegans

  • 1. Osaka University
  • 2. Tohoku Bunka Gakuen University
  • 3. University of Edinburgh
  • 4. Saitama University
  • 5. University of Tokyo
  • 6. Ibaraki University
  • 7. Tohoku University

Description

Brains regulate behavioral responses with distinct timings. Here we investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the timing of decision-making during olfactory navigation in Caenorhabditis elegans. We find that, based on subtle changes in odor concentrations, the animals appear to choose the appropriate migratory direction from multiple trials as a form of behavioral decision-making. Through optophysiological, mathematical and genetic analyses of neural activity under virtual odor gradients, we further find that odor concentration information is temporally integrated for a decision by a gradual increase in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i), which occurs via L-type voltage-gated calcium channels in a pair of olfactory neurons. In contrast, for a reflex-like behavioral response, [Ca2+]i rapidly increases via multiple types of calcium channels in a pair of nociceptive neurons. Thus, the timing of neuronal responses is determined by cell type-dependent involvement of calcium channels, which may serve as a cellular basis for decision-making.

Notes

Files

Files (2.4 MB)

Name Size Download all
md5:d9eecc3e8c39ad940316b5ccf67e9916
2.4 MB Download

Additional details

Related works

Is cited by
10.7554/eLife.21629 (DOI)