Causes and consequences of variation in the hippocampus of individuals utilizing different spatial strategies

使用不同空间策略的个体海马体变化的原因和后果

• 批准号: 0918268
• 负责人: Lara LaDage
• 金额: $ 40万
• 依托单位: Board of Regents, NSHE, obo University of Nevada, Reno
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2009
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2009-08-01 至 2014-07-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0918268&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Causes; consequences; variation; hippocampus; individuals

Spatial memory use has been associated with many behaviors such as territoriality, mate choice, navigation and acquisition of food resources. Differential demands on spatial abilities have been shown to affect the hippocampus, the region of the brain thought partially responsible for spatial processing. Although many studies have found a positive association between space use strategies and hippocampal structure, little is known about the causes of variation in the hippocampus and if or how genetics, experience, hormonal and maternal effects influence this variation. More importantly, while most studies assume fitness consequences based on hippocampal variation, there have been no tests of this assumption. The primary goal of this research is to look at the genetic, maternal, hormonal, and experiential basis of variation in the volume, number of neurons and neurogenesis in the hippocampus, as well as the fitness consequences of variation in the hippocampus of male side-blotched lizards (Uta stansburiana). Consequently, this study has 5 primary goals: (1) to determine whether changes in the hippocampus are genetically encoded and relate to particular genetic combinations, (2) to explore if maternal effects, in the form of estradiol deposition in egg yolk, can cause variation in the hippocampus, (3) to manipulate testosterone in males to gauge if differences in gonadal hormones mediate underlying changes in hippocampal morphology, (4) to explore if changes in the hippocampus can be induced or enhanced by spatial use experiences, and (5) to assess if natural and lesion-induced variation in hippocampal attributes relate to fitness, namely survival. Thus, this research links the mechanism, developmental and fitness consequences of variation in the hippocampus. This study will provide interdisciplinary research training to underrepresented undergraduate students, as well as educating the general public via K-12 scientific videogames, popular print, visual media and presentations at community colleges.

空间记忆的使用与许多行为有关，如领土、配偶选择、导航和获取食物资源。对空间能力的不同要求已被证明会影响海马体，这是大脑中被认为部分负责空间处理的区域。尽管许多研究发现空间利用策略与海马体结构之间存在正相关关系，但对海马体变异的原因以及遗传、经验、荷尔蒙和母体效应是否或如何影响这种变异知之甚少。更重要的是，虽然大多数研究假设健康结果是基于海马体变异，但还没有对这一假设进行测试。本研究的主要目的是研究雄性侧斑蜥蜴（Uta stansburiana）海马体积、神经元数量和神经发生变异的遗传、母体、激素和经验基础，以及海马变异的适应度后果。因此，本研究有5个主要目标：(1)确定海马体的变化是否与遗传编码有关，是否与特定的遗传组合有关；(2)探索母性效应（以卵黄中雌二醇沉积的形式）是否会导致海马体的变化；(3)操纵雄性睾丸激素，以衡量性腺激素的差异是否介导海马体形态的潜在变化；(4)探索海马体的变化是否可以通过空间使用经验诱导或增强。(5)评估海马属性的自然变化和病变引起的变化是否与适应性（即生存）有关。因此，本研究将海马体变异的机制、发育和适应性后果联系起来。这项研究将为代表性不足的本科生提供跨学科研究培训，并通过K-12科学电子游戏、流行印刷品、视觉媒体和社区大学的演讲来教育公众。