Regulation of SCN Glial Plasticity

大脑的可塑性，即神经系统对经验的反应，是一个调节过程，导致长期的结构和功能变化。可塑性一直被认为是神经元的主要特征。初步数据表明，被认为为神经元提供营养支持的胶质细胞经历了一种新的、潜在的基本可塑性形式：中央生物钟-视交叉上核(SCN)中的昼夜和光刺激的形态动力学。这一概念是新的，还没有得到有效的探索。了解SCN神经胶质可塑性在每日循环中的模式和调节机制，将有助于对大脑中神经胶质细胞动力学的重要新见解，这是一个未被研究的区域的紧急性质。教育和推广部分的目标是开发和验证有效的跨学科教学模块，涉及神经科学、成像和三维分析技术。重点将放在吸引在神经科学研究中代表性不足的妇女和群体上。成果将包括一系列教育材料、演讲和出版物，供K-12教育工作者、学生和普通公众使用，旨在提高人们对最近研究成果的兴趣和认识。这将提高科学素养。科学问题将使用共聚焦显微镜结合基于计算机的分析大鼠SCN中神经胶质结构的复杂性和空间组织来解决。这项研究将从两个方面促进对神经胶质可塑性的昼夜调控的理解：1)提供对SCN神经胶质可塑性昼夜模式的无偏见、高分辨率的三维评估；2)对改变神经胶质结构从而动态细胞-细胞关系的信号产生新的见解。将与伊利诺伊州STEM教育计划主任、创新STEM教育计划设计和评估专家Lizanne DeStefano教授合作，评估教育和外展部分的效果。他们将采用强有力的基于目标的评估，通过出版和演示来验证、记录和传播这一模式。

Brain plasticity, the adaptability of the nervous system in response to experience, is a modulatory process leading to long-lasting structural and functional changes. Plasticity has been thought to characterize neurons primarily. Preliminary data suggest that glia, cells thought to provide nutritive support for neurons, undergo a new, potentially fundamental form of plasticity: diurnal and light-stimulated morphological dynamics in the central circadian clock, the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). This concept is novel and has not been effectively explored. Knowledge of the patterns and regulators of SCN glial plasticity over the daily cycle will contribute significant new insights on glial cellular dynamics in the brain, an emergent property of an understudied area. Goals of educational and outreach components are to develop and validate effective cross-disciplinary instructional modules involving neuroscience, imaging, and three-dimensional analytic techniques. Emphasis will be on engaging women and groups underrepresented in neuroscience research. Outcomes will include a series of educational materials, presentations, and publications for use with K-12 educators and students and the general public aimed at increasing interest and awareness of recent research findings. This will enhance scientific literacy.The scientific issues will be addressed using confocal microscopy coupled with computer-based analysis of glial structural complexity and spatial organization in the rat SCN. This study will advance understanding of diurnal modulation of glial plasticity in two ways: 1) providing an unbiased, high-resolution three-dimensional assessment of diurnal patterns of SCN glial plasticity, and 2) generating new insights on signals that alter glial structure and thereby dynamic cell-cell relationships. Assessment of efficacy of the educational and outreach components will be made in partnership with Prof. Lizanne DeStefano, Director of the Illinois STEM Education Initiative and an expert in design and evaluation of innovative STEM education programs. They will employ a robust goal-based evaluation to validate, document, and disseminate this model through publication and presentation.