LONG TERM RECORDING FROM AFFERENT TASTE FIBERS

这项研究的主要目的是开发一种可植入的 记录电极将允许对未切割的， 在未麻醉的动物中长时间的单一味觉纤维。 一个 可植入电极，由具有筛状结构的硅芯片组成 小孔和相关电极的阵列，将被放置在小 管. 然后将电极和管通过外科手术植入 大鼠颈部，切断舌咽神经，位于 管子。 再生的纤维通过硅片上的孔生长， 与电极贴壁。 随后，录音将从 慢性制剂中的单一味觉纤维。 因此，技术将 可用于接近一个基本问题的细胞生物学的 味觉系统：在多大程度上是一个单一的传入纤维的反应， 在味蕾细胞更新和突触形成的持续过程中保持稳定 改造？ 此外，我们建议使用这种植入式器械， 检查和分析纤维对化学物质的反应模式 舌头的刺激。 这些研究将提供基本信息， 关于单一传入反应的稳定性 味觉细胞更新和突触变化。 这些信息将提供 关于味觉系统细胞生物学的重要新数据， 应用于味觉的神经编码问题。 此外，发展 可植入电极的技术应用 来恢复周围神经的再生功能。

The primary objective of this research is to develop an implantable recording electrode that will permit electrophysiological study of uncut, single taste fibers for long time periods in unanesthetized animals. An implantable electrode, that consists of a silicon chip with a sieve-like array of small holes and associated electrodes, will be placed in small tubes. The electrode and tube will then be surgically implanted in the neck of rats, with the cut glossopharyngeal nerve positioned in each end of the tube. Regenerated fibers grow through the holes in the silicon chip in apposition to electrodes. Subsequently, recordings will be made from single taste fibers in chronic preparations. Thus, techniques will be available to approach a fundamental question about the cell biology of the taste system: to what extent is the response from a single afferent fiber stable during the ongoing processes of taste bud cell turnover and synaptic remodeling? In addition we propose to use this implantable device to examine and analyze the response patterns across fibers to chemical stimulation of the tongue. These studies will contribute basic information about the stability of the single afferent response during processes of taste cell turnover and synaptic changes. This information will provide important new data about the cell biology of the taste system that can be applied to questions of neural coding in taste. In addition, development of the implantable electrode can have important applications in technology to restore function in regenerating peripheral nerves.