Activity and Plastic Effects of Parallel Fibers

本研究将探讨下行输入到初级感觉神经元的生理特性和这种结构内的可塑性，突出了行为上重要的感觉输入。拟进行的研究将在电感觉侧线叶（ELL）的？ELL充当自适应滤波器，其中可预测的电感输入（诸如自生成的电感输入）从电感处理流中移除。可能的机制是平行纤维传递的预测信号的影响的可塑性。特异性目的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。将测试这些细胞对自然发生的预测信号（如运动命令和本体感受信号）的反应。具体目标2将检查ELL细胞对平行纤维传递的这些自然发生的预测信号的反应，重点是与外周电刺激相关联一段时间后的塑性变化。该项目的结果将与感觉处理的下行控制，感觉信息的存储和小脑功能的一般问题有关。

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.