MORPHOLOGICAL CORRELATES OF LONG TERM SENSITIZATION

描述（改编自申请人的摘要）： 神经生物学的最大问题是了解细胞和分子事件， 潜在的学习和记忆。 取得了相当大的进展 理解海洋中简单学习形式的神经基础 软体动物，Aaplasia，通过两个简单的防御撤退的研究 反射、尾虹吸回撤和鳃虹吸回撤。 这些反射 可以通过敏化来改变，敏化是一种简单的非联想学习形式， 其中对温和刺激的行为反应在以下情况下增强 另一种通常是有害的刺激的出现。 以前的研究 表明致敏的一个一般相关性是 神经元结构 然而，这种假设可能过于简单。 初步研究表明，可能有多种形式的长期 致敏，形态学变化只由更多的 呈现这种记忆的形式。 本研究项目的具体目标 主要是：1）确定尾部长期致敏的时间过程 诱发虹吸管退缩反射; 2）确定诱发条件 与形态变化相关的一种长期致敏形式;以及 3)研究神经元生长的功能作用， 致敏 各种训练方案对两个 行为反应的反射，并对形态的感觉 将分析介导该反应的神经元。 神经元的变化 将使用神经元的3-D重建来分析形态学。 结构 此外，我们将使用共聚焦显微镜检查是否 神经元生长通过以下方式促进行为反应： 加强与运动神经元的既有联系，或者通过增加新的 连接到反应背后的神经回路。 通过 神经元形态的定量分析，我们希望提供一个更 学习和记忆结构模型的完整框架。

DESCRIPTION (Adapted from applicant's abstract): One of the fundamental problems in neurobiology is to understand the cellular and molecular events underlying learning and memory. Considerable progress has been made in understanding the neural basis of simple forms of learning in the marine mollusk, Aplysia, through the study of two simple defensive withdrawal reflexes, tail siphon withdrawal and gill siphon withdrawal. These reflexes can be modified by sensitization, a simple form of non-associative learning in which the behavioral response to a mild stimulus is enhanced following the presentation of another, usually noxious, stimulus. Previous studies suggest that one general correlate of sensitization is the modification of neuronal structure. However, this assumption may be oversimplified. Preliminary studies suggest that there may be multiple forms of long-term sensitization, and that morphological changes are only induced by the more present forms of this memory. The specific aims of this research project are: 1) to determine the time course of long-term sensitization in the tail induced siphon withdrawal reflex; 2) to determine the conditions that induce a form of long-term sensitization associated with morphological changes; and 3) to examine the functional role of neuronal outgrowth in long-term sensitization. The effects of various training protocols on both the behavioral response of the reflex, and on the morphology of the sensory neurons mediating this response will be analyzed. Changes in neuronal morphology will be analyzed using 3-D reconstructions of the neuronal structure. In addition, we will use confocal microscopy to examine whether neuronal outgrowth is contributing to the behavioral response by strengthening pre-existing connections to motor neurons, or by adding new connections to the neuronal circuitry underlying the response. Through the quantitative analysis of neuronal morphology we hope to provide a more complete framework for a structural model of learning and memory.