1. Neuropad: An Identified Neuron Database for Insect Segmental Ganglia Christopher Comer John Dowd

2. Motivations: Store anatomical records* (with some functional data) Facilitate comparative studies *experimental observations, but also canonical descriptions of cells

3. Background: 1. 2. Workshop 1994 Jacobs et al. Target: Orthopteroid Insects

4. Example of record for classic insect neuron DCMD (from prototype version of Neuropad)

5. Search records by: Genus or species Name or ID of cell Sensory modalities Anatomical properties Soma position Decussation Neurite pattern (similarity)

6. How schematic anatomical summary is entered: 1. specify soma location within ganglionic grid

7. How schematic anatomical summary is entered: 2a. Point and click to render main neurites

8. How schematic anatomical summary is entered: 2b. Point and click to render main neurites

9. How schematic anatomical summary is entered: 2c. Point and click to finish rendering neurites

10. Finished Product (Sa = supraesophageal ganglion (brain), Sb = subesophageal ganglion, T1 = first thoracic ganglion etc. P, D, T = proto- deutero- and trito-cerebrum)

11. Example of record in current version of Neuropad: Has schematic anatomy and hi-res version from published description

12. Using Neuropad schematics to summarize DCMD Anatomy (and suggest hypotheses about functional correlations): (and suggest hypotheses about functional correlations):

13. Perplaneta Locusta Gryllus Result from comparison: Cerebral anatomy of cricket DCMD similar to cockroach, not locust: (data from Leung and Comer) (data from Leung and Comer)

14. Ultimately….. Design of Neuron Databases should allow us to: Enter experimental observations easily Test ideas on circuit design Understand the evolution of neuronal circuits