Postactivation potentiation models of memory

记忆激活后增强模型

• 批准号: 8629-2006
• 负责人: Racine, Ronald
• 金额: $ 5.57万
• 依托单位: McMaster University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2007
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2007-01-01 至 2008-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=363287
• 关键词: Postactivation; potentiation; models; memory

Most neuroscientists now believe that information is stored in the brain as an alteration in the connections (synapses) between brain cells (neurons).  This allows the restructuring of the circuitry that ultimately codes the memory.  These altered connections, however, are highly distributed, and they are embedded in a matrix of millions of connections that remain unaltered.  It is not only difficult to determine which connections are affected, we often cannot be certain which neurons, or even which groups of neurons, are participating in the storage process.  As a result, it is extraordinarily difficult to study the physiological mechanisms of real memory.  An alternative approach is to study the mechanisms of other phenomena that may utilize the same or similar mechanisms, particularly those that yield a controlled alteration of synaptic connectivity.  One such phenomenon is long-term potentiation (LTP).  If certain patterns of electrical stimulation are applied directly to specific neural pathways, the strength of the connections between that pathway and its neuronal target can be increased for long periods of time.  This phenomenon is amenable to experimental analysis, and it has received an enormous amount of attention in the neuroscience community over the last three decades.  Much of the work in my laboratory has been directed to the study of the rules that apply to this form of plasticity as it is expressed in cortical and subcortical brain regions.  The work that is proposed for the next grant term focuses on LTP in two systems, one involved in motor control and motor learning and the other in mood control and motivation.  This research will further our understanding of the mechanisms of synaptic plasticity and memory.  In addition, it should provide information that will facilitate the development of treatments for memory disorders and drug abuse.

现在，大多数神经科学家认为，信息在大脑中存储是脑细胞（神经元）之间连接（突触）的改变。这允许最终代码内存的电路修复。但是，这些改变的连接是高度分布的，它们嵌入到数百万个连接的矩阵中，这些连接保持不变。不仅很难确定哪些连接受到影响，而且我们通常无法确定哪些神经元，甚至哪些神经元正在参与存储过程。结果，研究真实记忆的物理机制非常困难。另一种方法是研究可能利用相同或相似机制的其他现象的机制，尤其是那些产生突触连通性改变的机制。一种这种现象是长期潜力（LTP）。如果将某些电刺激的某些模式直接应用于特定的神经病道，则可以长时间增加该途径与其神经元靶标之间的连接强度。这种现象可以接受实验分析，并且在过去的三十年中，它在神经科学界受到了增强的关注。我的实验室中的大部分工作都针对对这种可塑性的规则进行研究，因为它在皮质和皮层脑区域中表达。为下一个赠款术语提出的工作重点是两个系统中的LTP，一种涉及运动控制和运动学习，另一个涉及情绪控制和动机。这项研究将进一步理解突触可塑性和记忆的机制。此外，它应提供的信息将支持开发记忆障碍和药物滥用的治疗方法。