The role of zincergic neurons, and zinc signalling, in cortical plasticity

锌能神经元和锌信号传导在皮质可塑性中的作用

• 批准号: RGPIN-2015-05650
• 负责人: Dyck, Richard
• 金额: $ 2.91万
• 依托单位: University of Calgary
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2015
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2015-01-01 至 2016-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=590558
• 关键词: role; zincergic; neurons; zinc; signalling

A fundamental property of the brain is that it is highly plastic, meaning that it is capable of changing and adapting as a result of experiences provided by sensory inputs, learning, social and physical interactions, exposure to drugs and hormones, or injury. This plasticity is mediated by changes to the structure and function of neural cells at molecular, cellular, synaptic and network levels. Plasticity can involve the experience-dependent strengthening of synaptic connections, or the formation of new cells or synapses. As importantly, plasticity can involve the experience-dependent weakening of synaptic connections, or the loss of cells or synapses. The mammalian cerebral cortex is of key interest with regard to plasticity because it carries out many of the highest levels of mental functioning. Our goal is to advance our understanding of the cellular, molecular and behavioural mechanisms responsible for mediating experience-dependent plasticity in the mammalian cerebral cortex using an animal model. Specifically, we use the whisker somatosensory system pathway, where we can easily manipulate sensory experience at the level of the somatosensory cortex. We can drive specific patterns of activity by passively stimulating a whisker, or we can deprive the cortex of sensory input by trimming or plucking the whisker.

大脑的一个基本特性是它具有高度的可塑性，这意味着它能够随着感官输入、学习、社会和身体互动、接触药物和激素或受伤所提供的经验而改变和适应。这种可塑性是由神经细胞在分子、细胞、突触和网络水平上的结构和功能变化介导的。可塑性可以涉及突触连接的经验依赖性加强，或新细胞或突触的形成。同样重要的是，可塑性可能涉及突触连接的经验依赖性减弱，或者细胞或突触的丧失。哺乳动物的大脑皮层在可塑性方面具有关键意义，因为它执行许多最高水平的心理功能。我们的目标是推进我们的理解的细胞，分子和行为机制负责调解经验依赖可塑性的哺乳动物大脑皮层使用动物模型。具体来说，我们使用触须体感系统通路，在那里我们可以很容易地操纵体感皮层水平的感觉经验。我们可以通过被动地刺激胡须来驱动特定的活动模式，或者我们可以通过修剪或拔胡须来剥夺皮层的感觉输入。