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Anatomical and neurochemical organization of the insect brain

The insect brain is supplied with an astounding diversity of signalling molecules including neurotransmitters, neuromodulators, and neuropeptides. In order to understand the chemical compartmentalization of the brain and its constituent neuropils, we map the distribution of these substances using immunocytochemical and histochemical staining techniques. So far, these studies revealed novel chemically defined compartments in the antennal lobe, in the optic lobe, in the mushroom body, and in the central complex, and showed widespread colocalization of transmitter substances in various brain areas.
For further analysis of neural adaptations related to specific life styles (e.g. diurnal vs. nocturnal, terrestrial vs. aquatic) or taxon-specific neural adaptations we currently analyze the distribution of neurotransmitters and neuropeptides in the brains of a variety of dicondylian insects ranging from firebrats to blowflies.