Excitatory Network Oscillations in Somatosensory and Motor Areas of Neocortex

描述（由申请人提供）：新皮质被细分为解剖和功能专业化的区域。但是，关于不同新皮层区域的神经活动的专门化却知之甚少。新皮层的神经活动通常与特定的正常和异常行为状态同步和振荡。我们最近的研究表明，运动皮层包含一个独特的兴奋性网络，在各种条件下产生同步振荡活动的α频率7-14 Hz范围（~10 Hz振荡）。此外，这个网络在相邻的躯体感觉皮层中被进一步抑制，除非特定的外向电流被阻断，否则躯体感觉皮层不会产生这些振荡。该研究项目的目标是揭示负责新皮层α共振的底物，并描述其在行为过程中的功能作用。有三个具体目标：1）研究K+通道阻断剂对体感皮层10 Hz振荡的影响; 2）研究运动和体感皮层10 Hz振荡的机制; 3）研究行为动物运动和体感皮层的节律性活动。我们将采用各种方法，使用切片在体外和动物在体内的行为。拟议的实验将揭示许多方面的突触，细胞和网络组织的运动和躯体感觉皮层。这些信息将有助于理解引起震颤、皮质肌阵挛和杰克逊型癫痫发作的异常神经活动的神经基质。这些研究旨在破译导致震颤、肌阵挛和杰克逊型癫痫发作的神经基质，这些是许多神经系统疾病的常见症状。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The neocortex is subdivided into areas of anatomical and functional specialization. But little is known about the specialization of neural activities among different neocortical areas. Neural activity in neocortex often becomes synchronous and oscillatory in relation to specific normal and abnormal behavioral states. Our recent work has revealed that the motor cortex contains a unique excitatory network that during a variety of conditions generates synchronous oscillatory activity in the alpha frequency 7-14 Hz range (~10 Hz oscillations). Moreover, this network is further suppressed in the adjacent somatosensory cortex, which does not generate these oscillations unless specific outward currents are blocked. The goal of this research project is to reveal the substrate responsible for the alpha resonance of neocortex, and to characterize its functional role during behavior. There are three specific aims: 1) To characterize ~10 Hz oscillations unmasked in somatosensory cortex by K+ channel blockers; 2) To determine the mechanisms that are unmasked to generate ~10 Hz oscillations in motor and somatosensory cortex; 3) To characterize rhythmic activity in motor and somatosensory cortex in behaving animals. We will employ a variety of methods using slices in vitro and behaving animals in vivo. The proposed experiments will reveal many aspects of the synaptic, cellular and network organization of the motor and somatosensory cortices. This information will be relevant to understanding the neural substrate underlying abnormal neural activities that produce tremor, cortical myoclonus and Jacksonian- type seizures. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVACE These studies are directed at deciphering the neural substrate responsible for tremor, myoclonus and Jacksonian-type seizures, which are common symptoms of many neurological disorders.