Modulation of Collicular Function

丘脑功能的调节

• 批准号: 9208211
• 负责人: Robert Rhoades
• 金额: $ 16.43万
• 依托单位: University of Toledo Health Science Campus
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 1992
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 1992-09-01 至 1997-02-28
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=9208211&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Modulation; Collicular; Function

The superior colliculus is a small, visual nucleus in the midbrain of all mammals including humans and plays a major role in the control of visual orientation and visual attention. Most of the previous research to understand how it participates in these behaviors has been concerned with specific sensory inputs. However, the superior colliculus also has inputs from other systems not thought to convey specific sensory information, but which can also influence the responses of collicular cells. The most prominent of these is the noradrenergic input which appears to have strong influences upon attention. This research will examine how the noradrenergic input to the superior colliculus modulates information-processing in this nucleus, including: (1) which of the many different types of cells are affected by this neurotransmitter, (2) the membrane and/or ionic events associated with changes in cellular responsiveness, and (3) the circuitry underlying the effects of this neurotransmitter. Very fine electrodes are used to record the activity of neurons in order to assay the effects of norepinephrine on neurons. Other techniques being used combine immunocytochemistry and electron microscopy in order to understand the synaptic organization of inputs to the superior colliculus.

上丘是包括人类在内的所有哺乳动物中脑中的一个小的视觉核，在控制视觉方向和视觉注意方面起着重要作用。之前的大多数研究都是关于大脑如何参与这些行为的，这些研究都与特定的感官输入有关。然而，上丘也有来自其他系统的输入，这些系统不被认为传递特定的感觉信息，但也可以影响丘细胞的反应。其中最突出的是去甲肾上腺素能输入，它似乎对注意力有很强的影响。本研究将研究上丘的去甲肾上腺素能输入如何调节该核的信息处理，包括：(1)哪些不同类型的细胞受到这种神经递质的影响，(2)与细胞反应性变化相关的膜和/或离子事件，以及(3)这种神经递质作用的电路。为了测定去甲肾上腺素对神经元的影响，采用极细电极记录神经元的活动。其他正在使用的技术结合免疫细胞化学和电子显微镜，以了解上丘输入的突触组织。