Hippocampal Plasticity Induced by Patterned Stimulation

图案刺激诱导的海马可塑性

• 批准号: 8811486
• 负责人: Gregory Rose
• 金额: $ 13.33万
• 依托单位: University of Colorado at Denver
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 1988
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 1988-09-01 至 1991-02-28
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=8811486&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Hippocampal; Plasticity; Induced; Patterned; Stimulation

A major goal of behavioral neuroscience research is the identification of the neurobiological processes which underlie learning and memory. One important model system for examining experience-based changes in neuronal activity is long-term potentiation, or LTP. This is a relatively long-lasting change in the efficiency of synapses, which results from stimulation with a brief, high frequency train of weak electrical pulses. This form of "neuronal plasticity" was first discovered in the hippocampal formation, a brain region known to be involved in memory formation. Dr. Rose' recent work has shown that by using a pattern of electrical stimulation which mimics either of two prominent electrophysiological activity patterns of the hippocampus (complex spike discharge and theta rhythm), he could markedly reduce the threshold for inducing LTP. This effect, termed "primed burst" (PB) potentiation, is invoked quite reliably by as few as five appropriately patterned stimuli. Because of its low threshold, and of its similarity to well-known electrical activity patterns, it is proposed that a PB-like process may occur within the hippocampus during the formation of new memories. Dr. Rose is recording electrophysiological activity from the hippocampi of normal, awake rats to evaluate this hypothesis. This work is clarifying both the physiological and behavioral conditions which promote PB potentiation, thus suggesting their role in the learning process. He is also examining the correlation between PB potentiation and memory by examining the effects of stress and aging (two conditions known to impair mnemonic function) upon the capacity of hippocampal synapses to show this PB effect.

行为神经科学研究的一个主要目标是识别学习和记忆基础的神经生物学过程。 用于检查基于经验的神经元活动变化的一种重要模型系统是长时程增强（LTP）。 这是突触效率的相对持久的变化，是由短暂的高频微弱电脉冲序列刺激引起的。 这种形式的“神经元可塑性”首先在海马结构中发现，海马结构是已知参与记忆形成的大脑区域。 Rose 博士最近的工作表明，通过使用模仿海马体两种主要电生理活动模式（复杂尖峰放电和 theta 节律）之一的电刺激模式，他可以显着降低诱导 LTP 的阈值。 这种效应被称为“引发爆发”（PB）增强，只要五个适当模式的刺激就可以相当可靠地引起。 由于其阈值较低，并且与众所周知的电活动模式相似，因此有人提出，在新记忆的形成过程中，海马体内可能会发生类似 PB 的过程。 罗斯博士正在记录正常清醒大鼠海马体的电生理活动，以评估这一假设。 这项工作阐明了促进 PB 增强的生理和行为条件，从而表明它们在学习过程中的作用。 他还通过研究压力和衰老（已知会损害记忆功能的两种情况）对海马突触显示 PB 效应的能力的影响，来研究 PB 增强和记忆之间的相关性。