Activity and Plastic Effects of Parallel Fibers

这项研究将调查初级感觉神经束下行输入的生理特性，以及该结构中突出行为重要感觉输入的可塑性。这项拟议的研究将在Mormyid电鱼的电感侧线叶(ELL)中进行，电鱼是延髓中的一种类似小脑的结构。ELL充当自适应过滤器，在该过滤器中，从电感觉处理流中移除可预测的电感觉输入，例如那些自我产生的电感觉输入。可能的机制是平行光纤传递的预测信号的影响具有可塑性。具体目标1将通过记录产生ELL平行纤维的颗粒细胞来确定ELL平行纤维的活性。这些细胞对自然产生的预测信号的反应性将被测试，例如运动指令和本体感觉信号。具体目标2将检查ELL细胞对这些由平行纤维传递的自然发生的预测信号的反应，重点放在与周围电感觉刺激相关联的一段时间后的可塑性变化。该项目的结果将与感觉加工的下行控制、感觉信息的存储和小脑功能的一般问题相关。

This study will investigate the physiological properties of descending inputs to a primary sensory neuropil and the plasticity within this structure that highlights behaviorally significant sensory inputs. The proposed research will be performed in the electrosensory lateral line lobe (ELL) of mormyrid electric fish, a cerebellum-like structure in the medulla. The ELL acts as an adaptive filter in which predictable electrosensory inputs, such as those which are self-generated, are removed from the electrosensory processing stream. The probable mechanism is that of plasticity in the effects of predictive signals conveyed by parallel fibers. Specific Aim 1 will determine the activity of ELL parallel fibers by recording from the granule cells that give rise to them. Responsiveness of these cells to naturally occurring predictive signals, such as motor commands and proprioceptive signals, will be tested. Specific Aim 2 will examine the responses of ELL cells to these naturally-occurring predictive signals conveyed by parallel fibers, with a focus on plastic change following a period of association with peripheral electrosensory stimuli. The results of the project will be relevant to the general issues of descending control of sensory processing, storage of sensory information, and cerebellar function.