Understanding the role of convergence at the retinogeniculate synapse

项目总结 视网膜神经节细胞(RGC)是视网膜的输出细胞，由30多种类型组成，编码不同的 视觉场景的特征。这些由不同RGC类型编码的并行信息流被路由到 背外侧膝状体核(DLGN)在被传递到初级视皮层(V1)进行调节之前 视觉感知。虽然长期以来人们认为dLGN神经元只是将RGC编码的信息传递到 V1，新出现的证据表明，RGC输入更多地汇聚到dLGN神经元 比之前预想的要好。这就提出了一个问题，即由RGC编码的信息如何在 在到达V1之前的dLGN。 这项建议的总体目标是了解视网膜会聚在视觉处理中的功能作用。 拟议的实验将涉及操纵特定类型的RGC的活动，以了解信息如何 整合在dLGN神经元中。这项建议包括两个目标：(1)评估具体的 RGC类型对dLGN神经元的反应特性(2)，以确定视觉体验是否可以改变 改变RGC输入强度对dLGN神经元反应特性的影响这项工作将提供重要的 深入了解并行信息流如何集成到dLGN中，并对 理解融合在感觉加工中的作用。 在进行这些实验时，我将学习如何将光遗传学与活体电生理记录配对 在突触和回路水平上研究神经系统。从概念上讲，这些实验将教会我 如何研究神经电路的动态特性。拟议的研究将与一项 量身定做的培训计划，将为我成功的独立研究生涯做好准备，研究 不同层次的系统。

PROJECT SUMMARY Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are the output cells of the retina and consist of over 30 types that encode distinct features of the visual scene. These parallel information streams encoded by different RGC types are routed to the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN) before being transmitted to the primary visual cortex (V1) to mediate visual perception. While it was long thought that dLGN neurons simply relay information encoded by RGCs to V1, emerging evidence has demonstrated that there is more convergence of RGC inputs onto dLGN neurons than previously appreciated. This raises the question of how information encoded by RGCs is transformed in the dLGN before reaching V1. The overall goal of this proposal is to understand the functional role of retinal convergence in visual processing. Proposed experiments will involve manipulating the activity of specific RGC types to understand how information is integrated in dLGN neurons. This proposal encompass two aims: (1) To assess the contribution of specific RGC types to the response properties of dLGN neurons (2) To determine if visual experience can alter the response properties of dLGN neurons by changing the strength of RGC inputs. This work will provide important insights into how parallel information streams are integrated in the dLGN and have broad implications for understanding the function of convergence in sensory processing. In conducting these experiments, I will learn how to pair optogenetics with in vivo electrophysiological recordings to study the nervous system at the synaptic and circuit levels. Conceptually, these experiments will teach me how to investigate the dynamic properties of neural circuits. The proposed research will be combined with a tailored training plan that will prepare me for a successful independent research career studying the nervous system at different levels.