Expression of "Imprinting"memory in chick brain

1. 刚孵出的小鸡通过经验来学习区分什么是可吃的和什么是不可吃的。一次啄厌性物体的经历会形成长期记忆；这个任务被称为“单次被动回避任务”对该任务后形成的小鸡感知图的详细分析表明，小鸡分别处理“颜色”和“形状”，前者比后者退化得早。小鸡脑联合区视觉图像表达的单单元分析我们开发了一种技术，可以记录自由行为的清醒小鸡的大脑（视觉联合区和基底神经节）单个神经元的活动，时间长达数小时。有些神经元在被动回避记忆形成后立即显示出特有的相干爆发。基底神经节突触可塑性的神经生理学研究会聚突触输入的长期增强和抑制的同步诱导。基底神经节（区域LPO）被认为是储存被动回避记忆的大脑区域，用于选择性地执行啄食行为。从LPO神经元切片的场电位和全细胞贴片记录显示兴奋性输入的收敛。同时的强直性刺激导致“皮质纹状体”输入出现LTP，同时“杏仁核纹状体”输入出现LTP。

1. Behavioral study on the memory contents formed after visual discrimination taskNewly hatched chicks learn to discriminate what is edible and what is not by experiences. Single experience of pecking at a aversive object results in a formation of long-term memory ; a task refered to as "one-trial passive avoidance task." Detailed analysis of chick perceptual map formed after this task revealed that chicks process "color" and "shape" separately, the former deteriorates earlier than the latter.2. Single-unit analysis on the expression of visual images in association area of chick brainWe have developed a technique, where activity of single neurons can be recorded for hours from brain (visual association area and basal ganglion) of freely-behaving awake chicks. Some neurons revealed characteristic coherent bursts immediately after the formation of the passive avoidance memory.3. Neurophysiological study on the synaptic plasticity in basal gangion ; concurrent induction of long-term potentiation and depression of converging synaptic inputs.The basal gangion (area LPO) is assumed the brain region where the passive avoidance memory is stored for selective execution of pecking behavior. Field potential and whole cell patch recording from the LPO neurons in slices revealed convergence of excitatory inputs. Coincident tetanic stimuli caused a LTP in "cotrico-striatal" inputs and a concomittant LTD in the "amgdalo-striatal" inputs.