COMPETITION BETWEEN AXONS AT THE NEUROMUSCULAR JUNCTION

这项工作的目的是为了更好地理解其中一个重要的 调节神经系统中连接模式的机制。 特别的目标是阐明神经元竞争的方式。 通过消除神经支配的其他神经元的突触而成为主导 相同的目标细胞。新技术(在染色和显微镜方面)将是 使用它可以显示生活中随时间推移的神经末梢 动物。突触将受到监测，因为它们经历了竞争 重组。在这一资助期间，一个重点将放在学习上。 突触丢失与神经节细胞分布和功能改变的关系 突触后受体富集区。很可能突触的变化 联系是神经正常成熟的必要部分。 而成人的学习和记忆等功能也可能欠佳。 因此，理解这种现象的生物学基础是 是了解大脑成熟和功能的基础。

This aim of this work is to better understand one of the important mechanisms that regulates the pattern of connections in the nervous system. The particular goal is to elucidate the way in which neurons compete to become dominant by eliminating the synapses of other neurons innervating the same target cells. New techniques (in staining and microscopy) will be used which permit visualization of nerve terminals over time in living animals. Synapses will be monitored as they undergo competitive reorganization. During this grant period, one focus will be on studies relating synaptic loss with changes in the distribution and function of postsynaptic receptor-rich areas. It is likely that changes in synaptic connections are a necessary part of the normal maturation of the nervous system and may also underly adult functions such as learning and memory. As such, understanding the biological basis of this phenomenon is fundamental to an understanding of brain maturation and function.