LIMBIC CORTICAL BASES OF ASSOCIATIVE LEARNING

该奖项支持的研究将集中在神经方面。 在海马体中发展的可塑性是由于 行为学习，使用经典的眨眼条件反射 以兔为模型系统。关于以下三个具体问题 这种可塑性将被研究。首先，我们将确定 学习诱导的多突触解剖通路 海马区锥体神经元活动的变化影响 小脑--一种已知参与 形成条件性眨眼反应。第二，我们将 使用非线性系统分析技术来表征 海马区的功能特性仅在 网络级，即由协调产生的属性 作为一个系统的所有神经元亚群的活动。 然后，我们将调查这些系统属性是如何更改的 在眨眼条件反射过程中。最后，我们将调查 脑干去甲肾上腺素和5-羟色胺能传入在脑内的作用 经典型发育过程中锥体细胞活动的变化 条件反射。

The research supported by this award will focus on neural plasticity that develops in the hippocampus as a result of behavioral learning, using classical conditioning of eyeblink in rabbit as a model system. Three specific issues with respect to this plasticity will be investigated. First, we will determine the multi-synaptic anatomical pathways through which learning-induced changes in the activity of hippocampal pyramidal neurons affects the cerebellum--a brain structure known to be involved in the formation of the conditioned eyeblink response. Second, we will use nonlinear systems analytic techniques to characterize functional properties of the hippocampus expressed only at the network level, i.e., properties emerging from the coordinated activity of all its subpopulations of neurons acting as a system. We then will investigate how those system properties are altered during eyeblink conditioning. Finally, we will investigate the contribution of brainstem noradrenergic and serotonergic inputs to changes in pyramidal cell activity that develop during classical conditioning.