Modulation of two oscillatory networks in the peripheral olfactory system by γ-aminobutyric acid, glutamate, and acetylcholine in the terrestrial slug Limax marginatus

The digit-like extensions (the digits) of the tentacular ganglion of the terrestrial slug Limax marginatus are the cell body rich region in the primary olfactory system, and they contain primary olfactory neurons and projection neurons that send their axons to the olfactory center via the tentacular nerves. Two cell clusters (the cell masses) at the bases of the digits form the other cell body rich regions. Although the spontaneous slow oscillations and odor responses in the tentacular nerve have been studied, the origin of the oscillatory activity is unknown. In the present study, we examined the contribution of the neurons in the digits and cell masses to generation of the tentacular nerve oscillations by surgical removal from the whole tentacle preparations. Both structures contributed to the tentacular oscillations, and surgical isolation of the digits from the whole tentacle preparations still showed spontaneous oscillations. To analyze the dynamics of odor-processing circuits in the digits and tentacular ganglia, we studied the effects of γ-aminobutyric acid, glutamate, and acetylcholine on the circuit dynamics of the oscillatory network(s) in the peripheral olfactory system. Bath or local puff application of γ-aminobutyric acid to the cell masses decreased the tentacular nerve oscillations, whereas the bath or local puff application of glutamate and acetylcholine to the digits increased the digits' oscillations. Our results suggest the existence of two intrinsic oscillatory circuits that respond differentially to endogenous neurotransmitters in the primary olfactory system of slugs.