The role of inhibition in higher olfactory processing

7.摘要 高级嗅觉处理在昆虫或脊椎动物中仍然没有很好的理解。鉴于目前的状况， 根据现有的知识，哺乳动物和昆虫的嗅觉处理结构似乎很相似，因此， 相对简单的模型系统，如果蝇，可以提供对其他动物高级嗅觉处理的深入了解。 这个项目将调查侧角，一个嗅觉处理区，被认为是调解最先天的 对气味的行为反应，并已与脊椎动物杏仁核进行了比较。这项研究的目的是了解 侧角计算中突触抑制的功能作用。这里提出的实验将在体内使用 电生理记录与药理学和遗传工具相结合，以研究连接性， 侧角抑制性输入的生理特性，以及它们的突触整合和功能效应 对侧角输出神经元的影响了解抑制如何有助于果蝇的嗅觉加工将提供 对更复杂动物的高级感觉处理的神经机制的重要见解，包括 人类这些知识最终将有助于开发新的治疗感觉障碍的方法。

7. Abstract Higher olfactory processing is still not well-understood in either insects or vertebrates. Given the current state of knowledge, it appears that the structure of olfactory processing is largely similar in mammals and insects, and so a relatively simple model system such as Drosophila may provide insight into higher olfactory processing in other animals. This project will investigate the lateral horn, an olfactory processing region which is thought to mediate most innate behavioral responses to odors and has been compared to the vertebrate amygdala. The goal of this study is to understand the functional role of synaptic inhibition in lateral horn computations. The experiments proposed here will use in vivo electrophysiological recordings in combination with pharmacology and genetic tools to investigate the connectivity and physiological properties of inhibitory inputs to the lateral horn, as well as their synaptic integration and functional effects on lateral horn output neurons. Understanding how inhibition contributes to olfactory processing in the fly will provide important insights into the neural mechanisms of high-level sensory processing in more complex animals, including humans. This knowledge will ultimately aid in the development of novel treatments for sensory disorders.