ANALYSIS OF MOTOR SYSTEMS

描述（改编自申请人的摘要）：长期目标 这个研究项目是为了确定负责的神经回路 用于生成粘液纤毛运动的示例。 的 这笔赠款中提出的实验将提供关于井如何 定义的神经回路可以通过巴甫洛夫调节过程进行修改 支持条件响应的生成。 为了实现这些 目标，一种研究细胞和细胞的多学科方法 运动行为的突触基础将在海洋软体动物中进行 赫米森达；一种已被证明在生物物理学中有用的制剂， 学习的生物化学和分子研究。 该研究将使用一个 细胞神经生理学和行为技术的结合 研究完整动物和半完整动物的纤毛运动行为 准备工作。 该研究的一个主要目标是确定电机 支持纤毛运动产生的神经元。 我们将确定 中央模式生成网络的神经元并确定 网络的特性如何影响运动程序以及 纤毛运动的产生。 第二个主要目标是确定 如何通过调节支持运动行为的电路 照明并通过联想学习的例子进行修改，巴甫洛夫 调理。 我们将检查细胞和突触可塑性的部位 由突触后网络中的巴甫洛夫条件作用产生 条件刺激途径。 这种实验方法将扩大 我们通过识别其他条件来理解 Hermissenda 条件作用 条件作用产生的潜在可塑性位点。 这些研究将 帮助阐明神经组织的一般原理 系统产生行为并通过经验对其进行修改。

DESCRIPTION (Adapted from applicant's abstract): The long-term objective of this research project is to identify the neural circuit that is responsible for the generation of an example of muco-ciliary locomotion. The experiments proposed in this grant will provide insights into how a well defined neural circuit can be modified by a Pavlovian conditioning procedure to support the generation of a conditional response. To achieve these goals, a multi-disciplinary approach to the study of the cellular and synaptic basis of motor behavior will be carried out in the marine mollusc Hermissenda; a preparation that has proven useful in biophysical, biochemical, and molecular studies of learning. The research will use a combination of cellular neurophysiological and behavioral techniques to study ciliary locomotor behavior in intact animals and semi-intact preparations. One primary goal of the research is to identify the motor neurons that support the generation of ciliary movement. We will identify the neural elements of the central pattern generating network and determine how the properties of the network contribute to the locomotor program and the generation of ciliary locomotion. A second major goal is to determine how the circuit supporting locomotor behavior can be modulated by illumination and modified by an example of associative learning, Pavlovian conditioning. We will examine site of cellular and synaptic plasticity produced by Pavlovian conditioning in the network that is postsynaptic to the conditioned stimulus pathway. This experimental approach will expand our understanding of conditioning in Hermissenda by identifying other potential loci of plasticity produced by conditioning. These studies will help elucidate general principles underlying the organization of neural systems generating behavior and its modification by experience.