Basic Mechanisms of Neuronal Development, Maintenance and Function in the Basal Ganglia

我们的研究项目旨在发现哺乳动物大脑的不同区域如何获得精确控制的不同类型的神经细胞（神经元）补体，并形成正确的连接。发育中的神经系统产生的神经元远远超过存活的能力。事实上，超过一半的产生的神经元死于一种被称为细胞凋亡的程序性细胞死亡。决定哪些神经元亚型存活的一个主要因素是它们是否能够获得足够的被称为神经营养因子的存活分子。为了获得正确的神经营养因子，神经细胞必须表达一种受体分子，该受体分子识别神经营养因子并为其生存作用提供便利。此外，更可取的是，神经细胞在其环境中对某种形式的活动作出反应而存活，从而允许激活的输入信号与正确数量和类型的神经元相匹配，最终可用于成人神经系统的健康功能。

Our research program aims at discovering how different areas of the mammalian brain acquire a precisely controlled complement of diverse types of nerve cells (neurons) and form the right connections. The developing nervous system generates far more neurons than can survive. Indeed, over half the neurons that are produced die by a form of programmed cell death known as apoptosis. A major factor determining which neuron subtypes survive is whether they are able to get adequate access to survival molecules known as neurotrophins. In order to acquire the correct neurotrophin, the nerve cell must express a receptor molecule, which recognizes the neurotrophin and facilities its survival action. Furthermore, it is preferable that nerve cells survive in response to some form of activity in their environment, allowing for a matching of activating input fivers, with the correct number and type of neurons to be ultimately available for healthy function of the adult nervous system.