Topographic and activity-dependent lateral inhibition

描述(由申请人提供)：在这个项目中，我们解决了嗅球中嗅觉信息处理的关键问题。具体地说，我们正在研究可能允许嗅球神经元之间特定和有用的抑制性相互作用的机制。我们的初步证据表明，所采用的机制使一种活动依赖的侧抑制形式能够动态地改善气味反应之间的对比度增强，而无论鳞茎内的地形组织如何。这种机制可以应用于神经元的空间位置与它们的个体反应轮廓没有明显关系的许多系统中。此外，对侧抑制等生理神经元特性的功能作用的更彻底的理解可以应用于指导多种临床病理的原则，如精神分裂症和其他认知障碍。

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.