Cerebellar Neural Networks and Eyeblink Conditioning

描述：(改编自申请者摘要)： 这项研究是为了加深我们对小脑是如何参与的理解。 在经典的眨眼条件作用编码中，一种简单的联想运动 学习程序。到目前为止收集的数据提供了强有力的证据 小脑皮质特定区域的神经元群体和 间位核接受关于脑电刺激的会聚输入 眨眼调节并改变它们的放电模式 负责所学客户关系报告的获取和执行。而当 神经网络参与了经典的眨眼条件反射编码 结果是，关于这个网络的各个部分是如何形成的，我们知之甚少 在学习过程中进行互动。这里提出的研究的具体目标 是使用脑记录、损伤和刺激的方法来研究 小脑皮质学习相关活动与脑损伤的关系 间位核内与学习相关的活动。四个实验是 建议。首先，间位核会永久性受损 用红藻氨酸或被蝇草酚临时激活，并在 小脑皮质(小叶HVI和前叶)将在 瞬目条件反射的习得和表现。第二，小脑 大脑皮质将受损或失活，并与条件反射相关的活动 将对间位核进行检查。第三，双重标签， 轨迹追踪技术将被用来研究投影的模式 在小脑皮质区域和小脑深层核团之间。最后， 将使用刺激和记录技术来评估是否有 “皮质抑制反弹”机制可能起到促进作用 神经可塑性与条件反射有关。完成后，这项研究 应该提供关于小脑神经网络如何的重要新数据 参与运动学习过程，更广泛地说，神经系统是如何 相互作用，促进行为改变。这一系统级别的理解如何 大脑在学习过程中运作对新的发展至关重要 对产生学习和治疗的各种病理的治疗和治疗 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.