INFORMATION PROCESSING BY THE ELECTROSENSORY SYSTEM

这是对研究科学家发展奖的请求。宽阔的， 这项建议的长期目标是了解神经机制。 动物通过它来处理感官信息并相应地产生 适应性行为。尤其令人感兴趣的是识别神经元 干扰的感觉处理和运动产生机制 非洲电鱼Gymnarchus的回避反应。我最近的经历 行为研究表明，空间和时间模式 两种感觉线索，差分相位调制和幅度 调制对这一行为是必不可少的。在拟议的项目中，我 计划研究检测这两种疾病的神经机制 参数和促进器机制来生成行为 输出。具体地说，我主张(1)确定神经机制 该过程差分相位信息(2)确定了精确的 幅度编码系统的形态和地形，以及(3)确定 这一行为的最终马达输出机制。我会用 细胞内记录和标记技术以及细胞外 记录技术和电子显微镜，以揭示形态和 神经元素的功能。我也会采取比较的方法。 建议项目的研究结果将与 已知的神经机制相同的行为在一个电子 独立于Gymnarchus进化的鱼类物种。这一比较 将使我们能够深入了解 调查结果。我计划学习电子显微镜技术和领域 提升我的研究事业的技术。预期的结果将是 有助于理解信息的基本原理 由大脑处理脊椎动物的行为。

This is a request for a Research Scientist Development Award. The broad, long-term objective of this proposal is to understand neuronal mechanisms by which animals process sensory information and accordingly generate adaptive behaviors. Of particular interest is to identify the neuronal mechanisms for sensory processing and motor generation for the jamming avoidance response in an African electric fish, Gymnarchus. My recent behavioral studies demonstrated that the spatial and temporal patterns of two sensory cues, differential phase modulation and amplitude modulation are essential for this behavior. In the proposed project I plan to investigate neuronal mechanisms for detection of these two parameters and the promotor mechanisms which generate the behavioral output. Specifically, I prepose to (1) identify the neuronal mechanisms that process differential phase information (2) determine the precise morphology and topography of amplitude coding system, and (3) determine the final motor output mechanisms for this behavior. I will use intracellular recording and labeling techniques as well as extracellular recording techniques and electron microscopy to reveal morphology and function of neuronal elements. I will also take a comparative approach. The findings made in the proposed project will be compared with the already known neuronal mechanisms for the same behavior in an electric fish species which evolved independently from Gymnarchus. This comparison will allow us to obtain insights into general significance of the findings. I plan to learn electron microscopic techniques and field techniques to enhance my research career. The expected results will contribute to the understanding of basic principles of information processing by the brain for vertebrate behaviors.