Effects of spatial attention on neuronal circuits in the early visual system

描述（由申请人提供）：本奖项提出的研究将研究空间注意力如何调节早期视觉系统的皮层回路活动。拟议的研究将候选人的科学背景和未来的职业目标联系起来，通过在多个处理水平上检查神经元活动的有意调节。在个体细胞水平（目的1）、局部回路水平（目的2）和皮层群体水平（目的1和3）将观察到有意效应。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The research proposed for this award will examine how spatial attention modulates cortical circuit activity in the early visual system. The proposed studies link the candidate's scientific background and future career objectives by examining intentional modulation of neuronal activity at multiple processing levels. Intentional effects will be observed at the individual cellular level (Aim 1), the local circuit level (Aim 2), and the cortical population level (Aims 1 and 3). By employing this novel approach toward understanding attention within the context of cellular and circuit processing, the candidate will draw upon experience across all phases of her research career. During the mentored phase of the proposed award, the candidate will simultaneously examine 1) how spatial attention modulates synaptic efficacy in cortical neurons receiving afferent thalamic input, and 2) how changes in cortical ensemble activity relate to the arrival of afferent information in attentive and non-attentive states. Through the instruction of two co-sponsors, one an expert in spatial attention task design/implementation/analysis and the other an expert in multi-electrode recording techniques/analysis, and with the vast resources already available at the University of California, Davis, the training received during the mentored phase will be invaluable to the longer-term objectives outlined in the independent phase of the proposal. As an independent investigator, the candidate will continue to address questions of functional dynamics in early visual cortical circuits using spatial attention tasks and multi-electrode recording. These experiments will further explore 1) whether and how the effects of spatial attention differ across neuronal cell types and local circuit levels, and 2) whether and how ongoing cortical network activity influences these intentional effects. All experiments proposed will be undertaken in the early visual system of awake-behaving monkeys, an ideal model for a number of reasons. First, while spatial attention influences early visual system activity, little is known about the mechanisms involved. Second, there is a wealth of knowledge available about the primate visual system. Third, the awake-behaving animal paradigm allows for the assessment of functionality in the fully cognizant state. Fourth, and most importantly, the primate visual system is similar to that of humans and therefore provides an ideal model for human cognition.