Triplicated bursting neuron R15 in an Aplysia abdominal ganglion: non-symmetrical coupling, common synaptic inputs and response to dopamine

Mono- and polysynaptic connections between identified neurons in the system of the passive avoidance reflex of the snail

The structure of the synaptic connections between identified sensory and giant command neurons of the parietal ganglia of the snail is examined. It is shown that the excitatory postsynaptic potential arising in the giant neuron in response to the generation of a single action potential in the presynaptic neuron consists of several monosynaptic components and may include polysynaptic components. It is hypothesized that monosynaptic components of the elementary excitatory postsynaptic potential that differ in the duration of the latent period and the dynamics of habituation may be associated with the activation of synaptic buttons on axon terminals of varying length.