ANALYSIS OF MOTOR SYSTEMS

描述(摘自申请者摘要)：长期目标 这项研究项目是为了确定负责的神经回路 用于产生一个粘液纤毛运动的例子。这个 这项拨款中提议的实验将提供对如何一口井的洞察 已定义的神经回路可以通过巴甫洛夫条件反射程序进行修改 以支持条件响应的生成。要实现这些目标 目标，一个多学科的方法来研究细胞和 运动行为的突触基础将在海洋软体动物中进行 埃尔米森达；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。这项研究将使用 结合细胞神经生理和行为技术来 完整动物和半完整动物纤毛运动行为的研究 准备工作。这项研究的一个主要目标是识别发动机 支持纤毛运动的神经元。我们将确定 中心模式生成网络的神经元并确定 网络的特性如何对运动计划做出贡献以及 纤毛运动的产生。第二个主要目标是确定 支持运动行为的电路如何通过 启发，并通过联想学习的例子进行了修改，巴甫洛夫 条件反射。我们将检查细胞和突触的可塑性部位。 由突触后网络中的巴甫洛夫条件反射产生 条件性刺激途径。这种试验性的方法将会扩大 通过辨析他者来理解《赫米森达》中的条件反射 条件化产生的潜在的可塑性轨迹。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.