Processing in the Insect Brain Leading to Context Dependent Turning

昆虫大脑中的处理导致上下文相关的转向

• 批准号: 1120305
• 负责人: Roy Ritzmann
• 金额: $ 56万
• 依托单位: Case Western Reserve University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2011
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2011-08-01 至 2016-07-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1120305&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Processing; Insect; Brain; Leading; Context

This project will examine neural circuits that make up a unique region of the insect brain, called the central complex, and will study its role in guiding the insect as it turns to move around barriers. This large midline brain region appears to be involved in processing large amounts of sensory information, then using it to influence movement. The Ritzmann laboratory will employ a range of electrophysiological and behavioral techniques to examine how central complex circuits process mechanical and visual information from antennae and eyes and to identify the neurons that perform these functions. Regions of the central complex will then be reversibly inactivated with local anesthetics to examine their effects on behavior. The results are critical to our understanding of how brain systems influence complex movements. They will complement recent advances in motor control stemming from neurogenetic techniques from several other laboratories. Indeed, because similar interactions between higher brain systems and local reflexes exist in virtually all legged animals, including vertebrates, the results will have wide ranging neurobiological impact. Moreover, the PI has a long-term commitment to bringing knowledge of biological systems to the design of legged robots. As such, the project should also lead to more advanced robots that can move autonomously through tortuous terrain with less direction from a driver. The project will continue the PI?s successful record of training both graduate and undergraduate students and extend this opportunity to pre-college students. Undergraduate and pre-college students will have the opportunity to work directly with graduate students and other senior laboratory personnel on the project under the direct guidance of Dr. Ritzmann. This arrangement generates a unique opportunity for novices to experience research while providing mentorship experience for the senior personnel.

这个项目将检查构成昆虫大脑中一个独特区域的神经回路，称为中央复合体，并将研究它在引导昆虫绕过障碍物时所起的作用。这个大的大脑中线区域似乎参与处理大量的感觉信息，然后用它来影响运动。里兹曼实验室将采用一系列电生理和行为技术来研究中枢复杂回路如何处理来自触角和眼睛的机械和视觉信息，并识别执行这些功能的神经元。然后用局部麻醉剂可逆地使中枢复合体的区域失活，以检查它们对行为的影响。这些结果对我们理解大脑系统如何影响复杂运动至关重要。他们将补充来自其他几个实验室的神经遗传学技术在运动控制方面的最新进展。事实上，由于高级大脑系统和局部反射之间的类似相互作用存在于几乎所有的有腿动物中，包括脊椎动物，因此研究结果将产生广泛的神经生物学影响。此外，PI长期致力于将生物系统的知识引入有腿机器人的设计中。因此，该项目还将带来更先进的机器人，这些机器人可以在不需要驾驶员指导的情况下，在曲折的地形上自主移动。项目会继续PI吗？S在培养研究生和本科生方面的成功记录，并将这一机会扩展到大学预科学生。本科生和预科生将有机会在Ritzmann博士的直接指导下，直接与研究生和其他高级实验室人员一起工作。这种安排为新手提供了独特的体验研究的机会，同时也为资深人员提供了指导经验。