Data from: Calcium dynamics regulating the timing of decision-making in C. elegans

Brains regulate behavioral responses with distinct timings. Here we investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the timing of decision-making during olfactory navigation in Caenorhabditis elegans. We find that, based on subtle changes in odor concentrations, the animals appear to choose the appropriate migratory direction from multiple trials as a form of behavioral decision-making. Through optophysiological, mathematical and genetic analyses of neural activity under virtual odor gradients, we further find that odor concentration information is temporally integrated for a decision by a gradual increase in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i), which occurs via L-type voltage-gated calcium channels in a pair of olfactory neurons. In contrast, for a reflex-like behavioral response, [Ca2+]i rapidly increases via multiple types of calcium channels in a pair of nociceptive neurons. Thus, the timing of neuronal responses is determined by cell type-dependent involvement of calcium channels, which may serve as a cellular basis for decision-making.大脑以差异化的时序调控行为应答。本研究聚焦秀丽隐杆线虫（Caenorhabditis elegans）嗅觉导航过程中决策时序背后的细胞与分子机制。研究发现，基于气味浓度的细微变化，该模式生物可通过多次尝试选择合适的迁移方向，这一过程属于行为决策的一种形式。通过对虚拟气味梯度下神经活动的光生理、数学及遗传学分析，我们进一步发现：气味浓度信息会通过一对嗅觉神经元内的L型电压门控钙离子通道，引发细胞内钙离子浓度（[Ca2+]i）的渐进式升高，从而实现决策所需的时序整合。与之相反，对于类似反射的行为应答，一对伤害感受神经元内的[Ca2+]i会通过多种类型的钙离子通道快速升高。由此可见，神经元应答的时序由依赖于细胞类型的钙离子通道参与模式所决定，这或可作为决策行为的细胞基础。