Glutamate evokes firing through activation of kainate receptors in chick accessory lobe neurons

Yamanaka, Yuko; Naoki, Katsuhiko; Shinohara, Hikaru; Takahashi, K.; Shibuya, Izumi

doi:10.1007/s00359-012-0766-6

Cited by 8 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…In part, this hypothesis is based on the identification of mechanoreceptive neurons within the accessory lobes ( Schroeder and Murray 1987 ; Eide 1996 ; Eide and Glover 1996 ; Rosenberg and Necker 2002 ; Necker 2006 ; Yamanaka et al. 2012 , 2013 ). Intraspinal mechanosensors are known to exist in many vertebrates ( Dale et al.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

3D Anatomy of the Quail Lumbosacral Spinal Canal—Implications for Putative Mechanosensory Function

Kamska

Daley

Badri-Spröwitz

2020

Integrative Organismal Biology

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Birds are diverse and agile vertebrates capable of aerial, terrestrial, aquatic, and arboreal locomotion. Evidence suggests that birds possess a novel balance sensing organ in the lumbosacral spinal canal, a structure referred to as the ‘lumbosacral organ’ (LSO), which may contribute to their locomotor agility and evolutionary success. The mechanosensing mechanism of this organ remains unclear. Here we quantify the 3D anatomy of the lumbosacral region of the common quail, with a focus on establishing the geometric and biomechanical properties relevant to potential mechanosensing functions. We combine digital and classic dissection to create a 3D anatomical model of the quail LSO and use this to estimate the capacity for displacement and deformation of the soft tissues. We observe a hammock-like network of denticulate ligaments supporting the lumbosacral spinal cord, with a close association between the accessory lobes and ligamentous intersections. The relatively dense glycogen body has potential to apply loads sufficient to pre-stress denticulate ligaments, enabling external accelerations to excite tuned oscillations in the LSO soft tissue, leading to strain based mechanosensing in the accessory lobe neurons. Considering these anatomical features together, the structure of the LSO is reminiscent of a mass-spring based accelerometer.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

3D Anatomy of the Quail Lumbosacral Spinal Canal—Implications for Putative Mechanosensory Function

Kamska

Daley

Badri-Spröwitz

2020

Integrative Organismal Biology

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“…In addition, there is evidence that implicates GABA ( Yamanaka et al. 2012 ), glutamate ( Yamanaka et al. 2013 ), and acetylcholine ( Takahashi et al.…”

Section: Hypotheses Of Lso Functionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Balance Hypothesis for the Avian Lumbosacral Organ and an Exploration of Its Morphological Variation

Stanchak

French

Perkel

et al. 2020

Integrative Organismal Biology

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Synopsis Birds (Aves) exhibit exceptional and diverse locomotor behaviors, including the exquisite ability to balance on two feet. How birds so precisely control their movements may be partly explained by a set of intriguing modifications in their lower spine. These modifications are collectively known as the lumbosacral organ (LSO) and are found in the fused lumbosacral vertebrae called the synsacrum. They include a set of transverse canal-like recesses in the synsacrum that align with lateral lobes of the spinal cord, as well as a dorsal groove in the spinal cord that houses an egg-shaped glycogen body. Based on compelling but primarily observational data, the most recent functional hypotheses for the LSO consider it to be a secondary balance organ, in which the transverse canals are analogous to the semicircular canals of the inner ear. If correct, this hypothesis would reshape our understanding of avian locomotion, yet the LSO has been largely overlooked in the recent literature. Here, we review the current evidence for this hypothesis and then explore a possible relationship between the LSO and balance-intensive locomotor ecologies. Our comparative morphological dataset consists of micro-computed tomography (μ-CT) scans of synsacra from ecologically diverse species. We find that birds that perch tend to have more prominent transverse canals, suggesting that the LSO is useful for balance-intensive behaviors. We then identify the crucial outstanding questions about LSO structure and function. The LSO may be a key innovation that allows independent but coordinated motion of the head and the body, and a full understanding of its function and evolution will require multiple interdisciplinary research efforts.

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“…Cells in the accessory lobes have neuronal-type voltage-gated sodium channels (Yamanaka et al, 2008, Matsushita et al, 2018, indicating the presence of neurons that can generate action potentials and are thus capable of acting as Necker suggests. In addition, there is evidence that implicates GABA (Yamanaka et al, 2012), glutamate (Yamanaka et al, 2013), and acetylcholine (Takahashi et al, 2015) in accessory lobe neuron function. However, no specific transduction mechanism has been identified (as noted by Matsushita et al, 2018).…”

Section: A Mechanosensory Function For the Lsomentioning

confidence: 99%

The balance hypothesis for the avian lumbosacral organ and an exploration of its morphological variation

Stanchak

French

Perkel

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Birds (Aves) exhibit exceptional and diverse locomotor behaviors, including the exquisite ability to balance on two feet. How birds so precisely control their movements may be partly explained by a set of intriguing modifications in their lower spine. These modifications are collectively known as the lumbosacral organ (LSO) and are found in the fused lumbosacral vertebrae called the synsacrum. They include a set of transverse canal-like recesses in the synsacrum that align with lateral lobes of the spinal cord, as well as a dorsal groove in the spinal cord that houses an egg-shaped glycogen body. Based on compelling but primarily observational data, the most recent functional hypotheses for the LSO consider it to be a secondary balance organ, in which the transverse canals are analogous to the semicircular canals of the inner ear. If correct, this hypothesis would reshape our understanding of avian locomotion, yet the LSO has been largely overlooked in the recent literature. Here, we review the current evidence for this hypothesis and then explore a possible relationship between the LSO and balance-intensive locomotor ecologies.Our comparative morphological dataset consists of micro-computed tomography (μ-CT) scans of synsacra from ecologically diverse species. We find that birds that perch tend to have more prominent transverse canals, suggesting that the LSO is useful for balance-intensive behaviors.We then identify the crucial outstanding questions about LSO structure and function. The LSO may be a key innovation that allows independent but coordinated motion of the head and the body, and a full understanding of its function and evolution will require multiple interdisciplinary research efforts. Jargon-FreeBirds have an uncanny ability to move their heads independently of their bodies. They can keep their heads remarkably still to focus on their prey while twisting in flight or perched on a bouncing branch. How are they able to do this? Like us, birds have balance organs in their inner ears that act like gyroscopes. Surprisingly, birds may have an additional balance organ known as the "lumbosacral organ" in their spine, right above their legs, which might help them sense the movement of their body separately from their head. This second balance organ may have played a very important role in bird evolution and how birds move, but it has seldom been considered in recent scientific studies. This intriguing hypothesis is based in part on a series of fluid-filled, canal-like recesses in the bone surrounding the spinal cord, which resemble the semicircular canals of the inner ear. We looked for evidence of these canal-like recesses in many different bird species, and we found it in every bird we examined. We also found that birds that perch often have deeper recesses than birds that do not perch, suggesting these canals help maintain balance. This paper presents those findings, reviews the existing research, and identifies some key questions that need to be asked to advance our understanding of this fascinating and ...

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Glutamate evokes firing through activation of kainate receptors in chick accessory lobe neurons

Cited by 8 publications

References 18 publications

3D Anatomy of the Quail Lumbosacral Spinal Canal—Implications for Putative Mechanosensory Function

3D Anatomy of the Quail Lumbosacral Spinal Canal—Implications for Putative Mechanosensory Function

The Balance Hypothesis for the Avian Lumbosacral Organ and an Exploration of Its Morphological Variation

The balance hypothesis for the avian lumbosacral organ and an exploration of its morphological variation

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