Topographic and activity-dependent lateral inhibition

描述（由申请人提供）：在这个项目中，我们解决的关键问题，在嗅球中的嗅觉信息的处理。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性相互作用的神经元之间的嗅球。我们的初步证据表明，所采用的机制，使活动依赖形式的侧抑制，可以发挥作用，以提高气味反应之间的对比度增强在一个动态的方式，无论在灯泡内的地形组织。这种机制可以在许多系统中使用，其中神经元的空间位置与它们的个体响应曲线没有明确的关系。此外，对生理神经元特性（如侧抑制）的功能作用的更透彻理解可以应用于管理多种临床病理（如精神分裂症和其他认知障碍）的原理。

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.