Pattern Formation in the Rat's Somatosensory System

哺乳动物初级体感觉皮层的一个特征是对侧体表的有序表征。该研究项目的长期目标是了解有助于形成这些体位图的个体发生事件。由于大鼠中枢神经系统的体感组织具有离散性和易可视化的特点，因此研究的重点是大鼠体感系统中的这一问题。当主要事件第一次接触它们的中心目标时，注意力将集中在较早的时期。本研究建议确定外周在建立新皮层区域边界和界定在这一过程中起作用的皮层下事件方面的作用。这个问题将在光显微镜水平上分析正常和胎儿操作的大鼠，并采用各种解剖方法。这项研究应该有助于我们理解调节离散新皮质区形成的因素。

A characteristic feature of the mammalian primary somatosensory cortex is an ordered representation of the contralateral body surface. The long term objective of this research project is an understanding of the ontogenetic events which contribute to the formation of these somatotopic maps. The research is focussed on this problem in the somatosensory system of the rat because of the discrete and easily visualized somatotopic organization within its central nervous system. Attention will be centered on an earlier period when primary afferents are first contacting their central targets. The research proposes to determine the role of the periphery in establishing boundaries between neocortical areas and delimiting the subcortical events which play a role in this process. This problem will be approached at the light microscopic level of analysis in both normal and fetally manipulated rats with a variety of anatomical methods. This research should contribute to our understanding of the factors which regulate the formation of discrete neocortical areas.