ENCODING TIME--DYNAMIC ANALYSIS OF BEHAVIOR

我们的研究重点是运动的产生和控制 行为的七鳃鳗，与了解行为的目标， 系统层面。 我们建议进行三方面的调查，其中两方面是 一个是以前开始的项目的延续，另一个是新的： I. 脊髓中枢神经系统结构与功能的研究 模式发生器（用于运动，尤其是节间的CPG 协调系统 我们将估计函数耦合强度， CPG通过拟合随机模型的实验数据。 抑制 不同长度的浴槽将用于研究 长连接与短连接。 弯曲产生的扰动 脊髓可以用来帮助区分上行和 下行耦合 除了夹带CPG，弯曲（迫使） 引起一个缓慢衰减的周期减少，我们将寻找一个 在非强制数据中类似的缓慢过程。 我们将扩展理论 通过包括长距离和非 相对相位耦合;实验上，我们将确定如何 夹带范围随活性段的数量而变化。 中央政府的连接主义模型将用于探讨 节段间相位滞后对长度和强度的依赖性 以及振荡器频率的空间变化。 我们将分析耦合异质种群的模型， 爆裂神经元，并探讨异质性的相关性， 段间协调 在一个新的实验前沿，我们将 探索使用光学染料记录从神经元群中， CPG电路，以及确定新的协调类 神经元 二.正常的运动行为：整合的组成部分， 使整个动物游泳。 这主要是一个 继续开展上一个赠款周期开始的工作。 我们将探讨 水在产生行波中的作用， 输入的模式，和脑干之间的相互作用， 脊髓 通过结合运动控制的所有这些方面， 我们正在努力全面了解 脊椎动物的整个行为，以及所有的部分， 有机体和它的环境联合收割机结合并相互作用， 行为 三. 发展和适应性的纵向研究 七鳃鳗CPG 这是实验室的一个新方向。 的 虚构的游泳所有大小的幼虫七鳃鳗获得将是 记录，并估计片段之间的耦合强度。 如果 任何大小的脊髓的运动模式都表现得非常 与成年人不同，新的随机模型将用于 估计数。 同时，我们将饲养动物进行各种测试 CPG的可塑性和适应性。

Our research focuses on the production and control of locomotor behavior in the lamprey, with the goal of understanding behavior at the systems level. We propose three areas of investigation, two are continuations of previously begun projects, and one is new: I. Investigation of the structure and function of the spinal central pattern generator (CPG for locomotion, especially the intersegmental coordinating system. We will estimate functional coupling strengths in the CPG by fitting stochastic models to experimental data. Inhibitory baths of varying lengths will be used to study the relative strength of long versus short connections. Perturbations produced by bending the spinal cord with be used to help distinguish between ascending and descending coupling. Besides entraining the CPG, bending (forcing) elicts a slowly-decaying decrease in cycle period; we will search for a similar slow process in unforced data. We will extend the theoretical framework for entrainment by including long distance and non- relative-phase coupling; experimentally, we will determine how entrainment ranges vary with the number of active segments. Connectionist models of the CPG will be used to explore the dependence of intersegmental phase lags on the lengths and strengths of connections as well as the spatial variation in oscillator frequencies. We will analyze models of coupled heterogeneous populations of bursting neurons and explore the relevance of heterogeneity to intersegmental coordination. On a new experimental front, we will explore the use of optical dyes to record from groups of neurons in the CPG circuit, as well as to identify new classes of coordinating neurons. II. Normal locomotor behavior: integration of the components of the body to produce whole animal swimming. This is largely a continuation of work begun the last grant cycle. We will explore the role of the water in producing the traveling wave, the role of sensory inputs on the pattern, and the interaction between the brainstem and spinal cord. By combining all of these aspects of locomotor control, we are working toward a complete understanding of the production of an entire behavior in a vertebrate, and how all the parts of the organism and its environment combine and interact to produce that behavior. III. Longitudinal studies of the development and adaptability of the lamprey locomotor CPG. This is a new direction for the lab. The fictive swimming all sized of larval lampreys obtainable will be recorded, and the coupling strength among the segments estimated. If the motor pattern of the spinal cords of any size behaves very differently from the adults, new stochastic models will be used for the estimations. Also, we will raise animals under a variety of test to test the plasticity and adaptability of the CPG.