Frontal cortical networks associated with distinct virtual navigation strategies

额叶皮质网络与不同的虚拟导航策略相关

• 批准号: 239896-2013
• 负责人: Bohbot, Veronique
• 金额: $ 2.11万
• 依托单位: McGill University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2016
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2016-01-01 至 2017-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=594251
• 关键词: Frontal; cortical; networks; associated; distinct

Learning to find our way in a new environment is a process that involves perceptual, memory, and executive components which are mediated by a large network of structures in the brain. To date, human navigation research has focused on the hippocampus, a brain area that is responsible for spatial memory as well as autobiographical memories. However, little is known about the executive processes involved in navigation, such as selecting a navigation strategy or planning a journey. These functions are likely to be mediated by the frontal cortex, a brain region thought to be responsible for the control of behaviour. The purpose of the current research program is to elucidate the fundamental executive processes of navigation and to determine their neural underpinnings. We will use a cutting-edge multimodal approach to investigate the role of the frontal cortex in navigation. We will use neuroimaging to identify the frontal cortex areas that are involved in various navigation strategies, how they are related to navigation ability, and how they are connected to other brain areas important for navigation. To determine whether these areas are critical to navigation, we will temporarily and non-invasively stimulate or disrupt the activity in these areas using transcranial magnetic stimulation to selectively enhance or impair navigation. We will also test patients with frontal lobe damage and measure the resulting deficits in navigation. The current research program will enable us to enrich the scientific body of knowledge on the executive processes of navigation. It will generate knowledge on the role of the frontal cortex in navigation and on its connectivity. It will also present new avenues towards enhancing navigation, which will benefit Canada in that it may eventually increase people's autonomy in their everyday lives, which will in turn increase their quality of life. The executive control of navigation has been mostly studied in animals, thus the current research program will serve as a bridge for translational research in this domain. By undertaking research in this area, we will attract highly qualified personnel from around the world.

学习在新环境中找到自己的路是一个涉及感知、记忆和执行成分的过程，这些成分是由大脑中一个巨大的结构网络所调节的。迄今为止，人类导航研究主要集中在海马体上，这是一个负责空间记忆和自传体记忆的大脑区域。然而，人们对导航的执行过程知之甚少，比如选择导航策略或计划旅程。这些功能很可能是由额叶皮质调节的，额叶皮质被认为是负责控制行为的大脑区域。当前研究计划的目的是阐明导航的基本执行过程，并确定其神经基础。我们将使用尖端的多模态方法来研究额叶皮层在导航中的作用。我们将使用神经成像来识别参与各种导航策略的额叶皮层区域，它们如何与导航能力相关，以及它们如何与其他对导航重要的大脑区域连接。为了确定这些区域是否对导航至关重要，我们将使用经颅磁刺激暂时和非侵入性地刺激或破坏这些区域的活动，以选择性地增强或损害导航。我们还将对额叶受损的患者进行测试，并测量由此导致的导航缺陷。目前的研究计划将使我们能够丰富关于导航执行过程的科学知识体系。它将产生关于额叶皮质在导航中的作用及其连通性的知识。它还将为加强导航提供新的途径，这将使加拿大受益，因为它最终可能增加人们在日常生活中的自主权，从而提高他们的生活质量。导航的执行控制主要是在动物身上进行的研究，因此目前的研究计划将作为该领域转化研究的桥梁。通过开展这一领域的研究，我们将吸引来自世界各地的高素质人才。