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

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

Background: Workshop 1994 Jacobs et al. Target: Orthopteroid Insects

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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)

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