Induction of rhythmic activity in motoneurons of crayfish thoracic ganglia by cholinergic agonists.

In a crayfish thoracic ganglion preparation, it has been possible to induce rhythmic motoneuron (MN) activity by bath application of cholinergic agonists such as oxotremorine or pilocarpine (10(-6) and 10(-5) M respectively). Intracellular recordings of the MN and injection of current pulses demonstrate that these cholinergic agonists are powerful inducers of regenerative properties in MNs some of them being part of the central generator for locomotion.