Cerebellar Neural Networks and Eyeblink Conditioning

描述：（改编自申请人摘要）：长期目标 这项研究是为了进一步了解小脑是如何参与 在编码经典眨眼条件反射时，一个简单的，联想的， 学习过程。迄今为止收集的数据提供了有力的证据， 小脑皮质和小脑皮层特定区域的神经元群体 间位核接收关于用于刺激的会聚输入， 眨眼条件反射并以一种 负责获取和执行已学习的CR。而 参与编码经典眨眼条件反射的神经网络已经被 但我们对这个网络的一部分 在学习中互动。这里提出的研究的具体目标 是利用脑记录、损伤和刺激的方法来研究 小脑皮质的学习相关活动与 间位核的学习相关活动。四个实验是 提出了第一，中间核要么永久受损 与红藻氨酸或暂时激活蝇蕈醇和活性， 小脑皮质（小叶HVI和前叶）将在 眨眼条件反射的获得和表现。第二，小脑 皮层将被损伤或失活，并调节相关活动 将检查中间核。第三，双重标签， 将使用轨迹跟踪技术来研究投影的模式 小脑皮质区和小脑深核之间的神经元。最后， 刺激和记录技术将用于评估是否 “皮层抑制反弹”机制可能起到促进作用 与条件反射有关的神经可塑性。完成后，这项研究 应该提供关于小脑神经网络如何 参与运动学习过程，更一般地说，神经系统如何 互动促进行为改变。这种系统级的理解如何 大脑在学习过程中的运作对新事物的发展至关重要。 治疗和疗法的各种病理，产生学习和 记忆缺陷，包括发育影响、退行性疾病和 神经损伤

DESCRIPTION: (Adapted from applicant's abstract): The long-term objective of this research is to advance our understanding of how the cerebellum is involved in encoding classical eyeblink conditioning, a simple, associative, motor learning procedure. Data collected to date have provided strong evidence that populations of neurons in specific regions of the cerebellar cortex and the interpositus nucleus receive convergent input concerning the stimuli used in eyeblink conditioning and change their firing patterns in a manner that is responsible for the acquisition and performance of the learned CR. While the neural network involved in encoding classical eyeblink conditioning has been worked out, there is much less known about how portions of this network interact during learning. The specific objectives of the research proposed here are to use brain recording, lesion and stimulation methods to study relationships between learning-related activity in the cerebellar cortex and learning-related activity in the interpositus nucleus. Four experiments are proposed. First, the interpositus nucleus will be either permanently lesioned with kainic acid or temporarily activated by muscimol and activity in the cerebellar cortex (lobule HVI and the anterior lobe) will be studied during acquisition and performance of eyeblink conditioning. Second, the cerebellar cortex will be either lesioned or inactivated and conditioning related activity in the interpositus nucleus will be examined. Third, double-labeling, tract-tracing techniques will be used to study the pattern of projections between cerebellar cortical areas and the deep cerebellar nuclei. Lastly, stimulation and recording techniques will be used to evaluate whether or not a "rebound from cortical inhibition" mechanism may play a role in promoting neural plasticity associated with conditioning. When completed, this research should provide important new data concerning how cerebellar neural networks are involved in motor learning procedures, and, more generally how neural systems interact to promote behavioral change. This systems-level understanding of how the brain operates during learning is crucial for the development of new treatments and therapies for a variety of pathologies that produce learning and memory deficits, including developmental influences, degenerative diseases and neural injury.