Optical Analysis of Synaptic Integration in Cerebellar Purkinje Cells

为了揭示学习和记忆的机制，必须了解突触输入在神经元中整合和处理的方式，特别是在树突水平上。最近，光学技术已经发展起来，可以从多个位置同时测量膜电位和细胞内钙的变化，包括细小的树突。该项目将使用这些新技术来检测豚鼠小脑切片中浦肯野细胞的电活动。特别是，将进行实验以观察a)攀升纤维和颗粒细胞神经元与浦肯野细胞神经元接触的空间和时间特征，以及b)不同神经元间接触彼此之间的相互作用。还将开发浦肯野电池的计算机模型，该模型可以用来帮助解释光学数据。

In order to reveal the mechanisms of learning and memory it is essential to have information about the way synaptic inputs are integrated and processed in a neuron, especially at the dendritic level. Recently, optical techniques have been developed which can measure changes in membrane potential and intracellular calcium simultaneously from many locations, including fine dendritic processes. This project will use these new techniques to examine electrical events in Purkinje cells in slices from the guinea pig cerebellum. In particular, experiments will be performed to look at a) the spatial and temporal characteristics of climbing fiber and granule cell neuronal contacts with Purkinje cell neurons, and b) the interaction of the different interneuronal contacts with each other. A computer model of the Purkinje cell will also be developed which can be used to help interpret the optical data.