COBRE Center for Central Nervous System Function

描述(申请人提供)：有目的的人类行为需要注意力、决定和行动，所有基本功能都由大脑网络调节，主要位于新皮质，但由皮质下加工调节和塑造。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通道。因此，在一般甚至具体的意义上，注意力、决策和随后的行动定义了人类的精神活动。这些功能缺陷在神经和精神疾病中都很常见，并可能导致广泛的更高级别的行为缺陷。我们建议在布朗大学建立一个科布雷中枢神经系统功能中心，该中心将结合遗传学、行为学和系统神经科学的方法，研究大脑高级功能的机制，重点放在注意力、决策和行动以及改变这些关键系统的障碍上。这项研究包括五个由初级教员领导的研究项目。Morrow将调查被诊断为“难以治疗的自闭症”的儿童的神经生物学，这是一组经常表现出强迫行为的儿童。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破坏机制。沃登将研究冲突导致的选择性注意机制。ASAAD将研究基于注意力的联想决策过程中大脑皮层和基底节之间的相互作用。宋将研究多个神经系统是如何整合在一起来选择动作的，比如选择拿起红色铅笔而不是蓝色铅笔。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来利用MRI、EEG和神经记录来成像大脑结构和功能，并确保跨项目的适当实验设计和分析程序，从而使更广泛的Brown社区受益。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)的运营。科布雷中枢神经系统功能中心将由布朗脑科学研究所赞助。科布雷中心将利用布朗脑科学研究所提供的管理资源，确保有效运作，并与布朗研究所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.