Neural mechanisms underlying sensory, perceptual and cognitive processes in the avian brain

这项提案概述了一个广泛的研究计划，旨在了解感觉、知觉和认知过程背后的神经通路。这项研究是比较性质的，以鸟类为模型，涉及多项技术，包括神经元记录、神经解剖学、神经化学和行为测试。总体而言，有两个主要目标。第一个目标是确定大脑中处理“光流”的路径的生理和神经无序组织。视流是指由自我运动引起的整个视网膜的视觉运动，它被大脑检测到，并用于控制眼睛的运动、姿势和运动。在这项提案中，我们将研究视觉通路是如何与大脑中直接控制眼睛、头部和四肢的运动区相连的。我们还将记录这些通路中的神经元，以确定它们如何处理复杂的光流模式，并确定这些通路中神经元之间用于通信的神经递质。这项研究很重要，因为它将揭示大脑中允许我们使用视觉控制姿势和运动的路径，这些行为对我们的生存至关重要。它适用于医学，因为有许多临床情况涉及这些途径的损害，如多发性硬化症和阿尔茨海默病。第二个目标是用比较的方法来理解鸟类大脑-行为关系的进化。通过收集世界上最大和最多样化的鸟类大脑，我们已经开始研究鸟类之间的大脑行为关系。我们将使用这个集合来确定大脑是如何随着视觉和听力等感觉能力的变化以及工具使用等复杂运动技能的变化而进化的。这项研究很重要，因为它揭示了当鸟类开始改变它们的行为以适应环境变化时，大脑是如何进化的。我们从这项研究中学到的一般原理将显著增加我们对大脑-行为关系、人类大脑的进化和高级认知过程的理解。

This proposal outlines a broad research program aimed at understanding neural pathways underling sensory, perceptual and cognitive processes. The research is comparative in nature, using birds as a model, and involves several techniques including neuronal recording, neuroanatomy, neurochemistry, and behavioural testing. Overall there are two major objectives. The first objective is to determine the physiological, and neuroanantomical organization of pathways in the brain that process "Optic Flow". Optic flow refers to the visual motion across the entire retina resulting from self-motion, and it is detected by the brain and used to control eye movements, posture and locomotion. In this proposal we will examine how the visual pathways are connected with the motor areas in the brain that directly control the eyes, head and limbs. We will also record from neurons in these pathways to determine how they process complex patterns of optic flow and determine the neurotransmitters used for communication between neurons in these pathways. This research is important because it will reveal the pathways in the brain that allow us to use vision to control posture and locomotion, behaviors that are critical for our survival. It is applicable to medical science as there are many clinical conditions that involve damage to these pathways, such as multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease. The second objective is to understand the evolution of brain-behaviour relationships in birds using a comparative approach. We have begun studying brain-behaviour relationships among birds by amassing the largest and most diverse collection of avian brains in the world. We will use this collection to determine how the brain evolved with changes in sensory abilities such as vision and hearing, as well as changes in complex motor skills such as tool use. This research is important because it reveals how the brain evolved as bird species began changing their behaviour to adapt to changes in the environment. The general principles we learn from this research will significantly increase our understanding of brain-behaviour relationships, the evolution of the human brain, and advanced cognitive processes.