NETWORK, CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR DETERMINANTS OF BEHAVIOR

我们研究的长期目标是了解 基础 复杂动机行为的可塑性。 为了实现这一目标，我们 提出 来研究大脑的回路和神经机制 负责 为了在简单模型系统中产生进食行为， 海兔 加利福尼亚州。 这项研究将利用一个综合的 跨学科 结合解剖学，免疫细胞化学， 电生理学和生化技术， 分析. 我们将调查的主要问题涉及 能力 一个生物体利用相同的神经元元素， 肌肉 执行各种协调的行为 在 强度和速度。 我们建议，这可以通过以下方式实现： 两 机制的主要群体。 第一，创造 不同 功能性运动电路，通过激活不同的 组合 不同行为的运动神经元， 运动神经元的模式，在这些情况下，当在一个单一的 行为 反应的强度和频率都发生了变化。 的 二 一组假设的机制通过改变比例来运作 和 调节性共递质（尤其是神经肽）的组合 和 作用于肌肉的经典递质，从而调节 肌肉的特性，以满足特定的行为需求。 一 一个包含这两组机制的概念模型将 被 测试，如果正确，将有助于指导未来的研究的作用， 的 回路选择和神经调节在动机行为中起作用。 这些 研究应该有助于理解神经基础， 动机 行为和他们的功能障碍，如在流行的材料中所见， 抑郁症和躁狂症等疾病。

The long term goal of our research is to understand the neural basis of plasticity of complex motivated behaviors. Towards this goal, we propose to investigate the circuits and neural mechanisms that are responsible for the generation of feeding behavior in a simple model system, Aplysia californica. This research will utilize an integrated interdisciplinary approach that combines anatomical, immunocytochemical, electrophysiological, and biochemical techniques with a behavioral analysis. The major question we will investigate concerns the ability of an organism to utilize the same neuronal elements and the same muscles in executing a variety of coordinated behaviors each of which can vary in their intensity and speed. We propose that this may be achieved by two major groups of mechanisms. The first, consists of creating different functional motor circuits, through activation of different combinations of motorneurons for different behaviors, and of changes of firing patterns of motorneurons in those cases when within a single behavior either the intensity or the frequency of responding change. The second postulated group of mechanisms operate by changing the proportions and combination of modulatory cotransmitters (especially neuropeptides) and classical transmitters acting on the muscle, thus adjusting the properties of the muscle to meet specific behavioral demands. A conceptual model that incorporates both groups of mechanisms will be tested, and if correct, will help guide future studies of the role that circuit selection and neuromodulation play in motivated behaviors. These studies should facilitate understanding of the neural basis of motivated behaviors and of their dysfunction, as seen in prevalent material illnesses such as depression and mania.