Excitatory synapses in the deep cerebellar nuclei

小脑深部核团的兴奋性突触

• 批准号: 7110510
• 负责人: Jason Richard Pugh
• 金额: $ 2.8万
• 依托单位: NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY AT CHICAGO
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 财政年份: 2006
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2006-06-01 至 2009-05-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/7110510
• 关键词: NMDA receptors; cerebellar nuclei; conditioning; depression; learning; neurons; synapses; training

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): While it has been clearly demonstrated that the cerebellum is involved in motor and associative learning, it is remains unclear where and how this learning takes place within the cerebellum. Many studies have focused on the synaptic physiology and electrophysiological properties of Purkinje cells, but very few studies have investigated the role of deep cerebellar nuclear (DCN) neurons in the cerebellar circuit. Behavioral studies of eyelid conditioning have suggested that at least a portion of cerebellar learning takes place or is stored outside the cerebellar cortex, likely in the DCN. However, little is known about the properties of excitatory synapses in the DCN and there has been no direct evidence of synaptic plasticity at this site. This work will provide insight on the function of excitatory synapses in the DCN by making a more detailed study of the basic properties of these synapses than has been done previously. We will begin by investigating the kinetics, pharmacological sensitivity, and voltage dependence of EPSCs, as well as the short-term plasticity of EPSCs during trains of high frequency stimulation. This information will help in understanding how information is transmitted and processed at excitatory synapses in the DCN. In addition, we will investigate whether long-term plasticity is possible at excitatory synapses in the DCN, and if so, the conditions and mechanisms that produce potentiation or depression of EPSCs. These data will provide insight on how information is processed and stored by the cerebellum and in the DCN in particular.

描述(申请人提供)：虽然已经清楚地证明小脑参与运动和联想学习，但仍不清楚这种学习在小脑中的位置和方式。许多研究集中于浦肯野细胞的突触生理和电生理特性，但很少有研究探讨小脑深核(DCN)神经元在小脑环路中的作用。眼皮条件作用的行为学研究表明，至少有一部分小脑学习发生或储存在小脑皮质之外，很可能是在DCN。然而，对DCN中兴奋性突触的性质知之甚少，也没有直接证据表明该部位的突触可塑性。这项工作将通过比以前更详细地研究兴奋性突触的基本属性来深入了解DCN中兴奋性突触的功能。我们将首先研究EPSCs的动力学、药理敏感性和电压依赖性，以及EPSCs在高频刺激下的短期可塑性。这些信息将有助于理解DCN中兴奋性突触如何传递和处理信息。此外，我们将研究DCN中兴奋性突触的长期可塑性是否可能，如果是的话，产生EPSCs增强或抑制的条件和机制。这些数据将提供关于小脑如何处理和存储信息的见解，特别是在DCN中。