Sensori-Motor Cerebellar Pathways in Birds

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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.