Sensori-Motor Cerebellar Pathways in Birds

鸟类的感觉运动小脑通路

• 批准号: RGPIN-2018-04976
• 负责人: Wylie, Douglas
• 金额: $ 5.76万
• 依托单位: University of Alberta
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2019
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2019-01-01 至 2020-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=692072
• 关键词: Sensori; Motor; Cerebellar; Pathways; Birds

This proposal outlines a broad research program aimed at understanding neural pathways underlying sensory, perceptual, motor 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 four major objectives. The first objective is to determine the neuroanatomical organization of pathways in the cerebellum of the brain that process visual information, and how this information is integrated with other sensory inputs from the inner ears and spinal cord to control balance and posture. The second objective is to determine how visual information is organized in parts of the cerebellum that are concerned with avoiding obstacles during locomotion. We will record from neurons in these pathways to determine how they process complex patterns of motion and determine the neurotransmitters used for communication between neurons in these pathways. The third objective is to determine how areas in the telencephalon of the brain, which make decisions based on incoming sensory and motor information, interact with areas in the cerebellum, which are involved in using sensory information to control the ongoing motor movements. As such, we are looking at a more holistic view of the brain's control of sensori-motor activity with this objective. Finally, the fourth objective is to understand the evolution of brain-behaviour relationships. We will determine how the structure and chemical composition of the brain evolved with changes in sensory abilities such as vision and hearing, as well as changes in complex motor skills. The proposed research is important because it will reveal the pathways in the brain that allow us to use vision and other senses to control posture and locomotion, behaviours that are critical for our survival. Moreover, by examining brain evolution, we can understand how species adapt to changes in the environment. The general principles we learn from this research will significantly increase our understanding of sensori-motor processing, brain-behaviour relationships, the evolution of the human brain, and advanced cognitive processes.

该提案概述了一个广泛的研究计划，旨在了解感觉，知觉，运动和认知过程的神经通路。这项研究是比较性质的，使用鸟类作为模型，并涉及几种技术，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，有四个主要目标。第一个目标是确定大脑小脑中处理视觉信息的通路的神经解剖学组织，以及这些信息如何与来自内耳和脊髓的其他感觉输入整合以控制平衡和姿势。第二个目标是确定视觉信息是如何组织在小脑的部分，在运动过程中有关避免障碍物。我们将记录这些通路中的神经元，以确定它们如何处理复杂的运动模式，并确定用于这些通路中神经元之间通信的神经递质。第三个目标是确定大脑端脑中的区域如何根据传入的感觉和运动信息做出决定，与小脑中的区域相互作用，小脑中的区域参与使用感觉信息来控制正在进行的运动。因此，我们正在寻找一个更全面的观点，大脑的控制感觉运动活动与这一目标。最后，第四个目标是了解大脑行为关系的演变。我们将确定大脑的结构和化学成分如何随着视觉和听觉等感官能力的变化以及复杂运动技能的变化而演变。这项研究很重要，因为它将揭示大脑中的通路，使我们能够使用视觉和其他感官来控制姿势和运动，这些行为对我们的生存至关重要。此外，通过研究大脑进化，我们可以了解物种如何适应环境的变化。我们从这项研究中学到的一般原则将大大增加我们对感觉运动处理，大脑行为关系，人类大脑进化和高级认知过程的理解。