COBRE Center for Central Nervous System Function

描述（由申请人提供）：有目的的人类行为需要注意，决定和行动，所有基本功能都由主要位于新皮层的大脑网络介导，但由皮层下加工调节和塑造。注意的行为和大脑机制，包括警觉、定向、知觉和行动选择，是进入高级功能的关键门户。因此，在一般甚至特定的意义上，注意力、决策和随后的行动定义了人类的心理活动。这些功能的缺陷在神经和精神疾病中都很常见，并可能导致大范围的高阶行为缺陷。我们建议在布朗大学建立一个COBRE中枢神经系统功能中心，该中心将利用遗传、行为和系统神经科学方法的结合，研究高级脑功能的机制，重点关注注意力、决策、行动和改变这些关键系统的疾病。该COBRE由五个由初级教师领导的研究项目组成。莫罗将调查被诊断为“难以治疗的自闭症”的儿童的神经生物学，这一群体经常表现出强迫行为。Amso将研究自闭症谱系障碍中视觉选择性注意的典型发展及其中断的机制。Worden将研究冲突导致的选择性注意机制。Asaad将研究新皮层和基底神经节在基于注意的联想决策过程中的相互作用。Song将研究多种神经系统是如何整合起来选择动作的，比如选择拿起一支红色的铅笔而不是一支蓝色的铅笔。设计和分析核心将促进这些项目的研究目标，并通过开发新工具和优化现有工具，通过核磁共振成像、脑电图和神经记录成像大脑结构和功能，使布朗大学更广泛的社区受益；确保正确的实验设计和跨项目分析程序。项目负责人将受益于资深教师导师，他们将在研究、出版和拨款准备方面提供支持和指导。行政核心将监督该COBRE中心的运作。COBRE中枢神经系统功能中心将隶属于布朗脑科学研究所。COBRE中心将利用布朗脑科学研究所提供的行政资源，确保有效运作，并与布朗大学的其他脑科学研究活动进行协调。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Purposeful human behavior requires attention, decisions and action, all basic functions mediated by brain networks primarily located in the neocortex, but modulated and shaped by sub-cortical processing. Behavioral and brain mechanisms of attention, including vigilance, orienting and perceptual and action selection, are key gateways into high-level function. Thus, in a general and even specific sense, attention, decision making and the ensuing actions define human mental activities. Deficits in these functions are common in both neurological and psychiatric disorders and can result in a wide range of higher-order behavioral deficits. We propose to establish a COBRE Center for Central Nervous System Function at Brown University that will investigate the mechanisms of higher brain function, with a focus on attention, decision making and action and disorders that modify these key systems, using a combination of genetic, behavior, and systems neuroscience approaches. This COBRE consists of five research projects led by junior faculty. Morrow will investigate the neurobiology of children diagnosed with "difficult-to-treat autism," a group that often presents with obsessive compulsive behaviors. Amso will investigate the typical development of visual selective attention and the mechanisms of its disruption in autism spectrum disorder. Worden will examine selective attention mechanisms resulting from conflict. Asaad will investigate interactions between neocortex and basal ganglia during attention-based associative decision-making. Song will investigate how multiple neural systems become integrated to select actions, such as choosing to pick up a red instead of a blue pencil. A Design and Analysis Core will facilitate the research goals of these projects and benefit the broader Brown community by developing new tools and optimizing existing ones to image brain structure and function with MRI and EEG and neural recordings; and ensuring proper experimental design and analysis procedures across projects. Project leaders will benefit from senior faculty mentors who will provide support and guidance on research, publication, and grant preparation. An Administrative Core will oversee the operations of this COBRE (Center. The COBRE Center for Central Nervous System Function will fall under the auspices of the Brown Institute for Brain Science. The COBRE Center will leverage the administrative resources available through the Brown Institute for Brain Science to ensure efficient operation and coordinate with other brain science research activities at Brown.