NEURAL BASIS OF MOTIVATED BEHAVIORS

尽管众所周知，单个神经网络可以 生成几个相关但不同的行为，我们仍然不会 了解允许神经系统产生 对不同刺激做出反应的多种行为。远距离目标 这项提案中提出的研究的目的是理解神经 确保选择适当的神经输出的机制 根据施加在生物体上的行为要求。我们建议 利用具有良好特性的摄食行为及其神经 Aplysia中的基质，以提取相关的原理 选择和启动复杂行为的感官输入。 我们建议检验一个假设，即这个选择可以在 关于调制同传输器的组合作用的条件 来自特殊的模式启动神经元(CBI)，其功能是 将感觉信息输送到图案的感觉中间神经元 产生电路。建议的项目包括：1)识别 对模式启动神经元的特定输入和确定 这些细胞活跃的行为；2)这些细胞的特征 这些神经元对特定行为的贡献；3) 识别从这些电池释放的发射机和调制器； 4)生物物理和细胞作用机制的确定 调制器的一部分。这项研究将使用一种综合的内部 纪律方法，其中简化了准备工作，包括 神经系统的孤立部分用于与 半完整的准备工作，可以产生复杂的行为 在完好无损的动物身上。这种方法提供了行为上的保证 细胞机制的相关性将使用 电生理、生物物理、生化和生物化学的结合 分子技术。 这类研究的总体重要性可能会扩大 超越了运动行为选择的领域，如组合 这种现象可能是多个共发射机的作用造成的。 作为行为唤醒和选择性注意。

Although it is well established that a single neural network can generate several related but distinct behaviors, we still do not understand the mechanisms that allow the nervous system to generate multiple behaviors in response to different stimuli. The long range goal of the research presented in this proposal is to understand the neural mechanisms that assure the selection of the appropriate neural output according to the behavioral demands imposed on the organism. We propose to use the well characterized feeding behaviors and its neural substrates in Aplysia in order to extract the principles which relate sensory inputs to the selection and initiation of complex behaviors. We propose to test a hypothesis that this selection can be explained in terms of a combinatorial action of modulatory cotransmitters released from specialized pattern initiating neurons (CBIs) that function as sensory interneurons that funnel sensory information to the pattern generating circuitry. The proposed projects include: 1) identification of specific inputs to the pattern initiating neurons and determination of behaviors in which these cells are active; 2) Characterization of the contribution that these neurons make to specific behaviors; 3) Identification of transmitters and modulators released from these cells; 4) determination of the biophysical and cellular mechanisms of action of the modulators. The research will use an integrative inter- disciplinary approach in which simplified preparations consisting of isolated portions of the nervous system are used in conjunctions with semi-intact preparations that can generate complex behaviors that occur in intact animals. This approach provides assurance of the behavioral relevance of the cellular mechanisms that will be uncovered using a combination of electrophysiological, biophysical, biochemical and molecular techniques. The general importance of this type of research is likely to extend beyond the field of the selection of motor behavior, as combinatorial actions of multiple cotransmitters may be responsible for such phenomena as behavioral arousal and selective attention.