Topographic and activity-dependent lateral inhibition

描述（由申请人提供）：在这个项目中，我们解决了嗅球处理嗅觉信息的关键问题。具体来说，我们正在研究的机制，可以允许特定的和有用的抑制相互作用的神经元在嗅球。我们的初步证据表明，所采用的机制能够实现一种活动依赖形式的侧向抑制，这种抑制可以以一种动态的方式改善气味反应之间的对比增强，而不考虑球茎内的地形组织。这种机制可以应用于许多系统中，其中神经元的空间位置与它们的个体反应特征没有明确的关系。此外，更彻底地了解生理神经元特性的功能作用，如侧抑制，可以应用于控制多种临床病理，如精神分裂症和其他认知障碍的原则。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): In this project we address key issues in the processing of olfactory information in the olfactory bulb. Specifically, we are investigating the mechanisms that could allow for specific and useful inhibitory interactions among neurons in the olfactory bulb. Our preliminary evidence suggests that the mechanism employed enables an activity-dependent form of lateral inhibition that could function to improve contrast enhancement between odor responses in a dynamic manner irrespective of the topographical organization within the bulb. This mechanism could be employed in many systems where the spatial location of neurons is not clearly related to their individual response profiles. Furthermore, a more thorough understanding of the functional role of physiologic neuronal properties such as lateral inhibition can be applied to principles governing multiple clinical pathologies such as Schizophrenia and other cognitive disorders.