Neuroanatomical Basis of Endocrine-Mediated Behavioral Development in the Honey Bee

Susan E. Fahrbach, PI Gene E. Robinson， co-PI行为发展存在于包括人类在内的许多物种中。随着个体年龄的增长和生命的不同阶段，他们对特定环境刺激的基因决定的行为反应会以可预测的方式发生变化。通常，这些变化涉及到越来越复杂的行为反应，包括学习。博士的目标。Fahrbach和Robinson的目的是了解大脑结构的变化与行为发展的关系，尤其是那些具有高度可塑性的行为。法巴赫博士和罗宾逊博士将检验两种假说，以解释神经解剖可塑性和行为可塑性的作用。第一种假设预测，大脑结构的变化发生在对行为变化的预期中，这可能是一种特定神经内分泌信号的结果。根据这一假设，神经解剖学的变化是必要的，以支持过渡到更复杂的行为。第二种假设预测，大脑结构的变化是行为变化的结果。根据这一假设，神经解剖学的变化是支持更复杂行为持续表现所必需的。Drs。Fahrbach和Robinson将通过研究实验操纵内分泌和经验因素后昆虫的大脑结构来探索这些假设。将进行脑区体积、突触形成和导致神经可塑性的分子事件的研究。这项研究的主要意义将有助于我们理解成年动物和人类激素介导的行为可塑性的神经解剖学基础。

Proposal # 9423164 Susan E. Fahrbach, PI Gene E. Robinson, co-PI Behavioral development occurs in many species, including humans. As individuals age and pass through different stages of their life, their genetically determined behavioral responses to specific environmental stimuli change in predictable ways. Often these changes involve increasingly complex behavioral responses that involve learning. The goal of Drs. Fahrbach and Robinson is to understand how changes in brain structure relate to the development of behavior, particularly behavior that is characterized by a high degree of plasticity. Dr. Fahrbach and Dr. Robinson will test two hypotheses that explain the role of neuroanatomical plasticity and behavioral plasticity. The first hypothesis predicts that changes in brain structure occur in anticipation of changes in behavior, perhaps as a result of a specific neuroendocrine signal. According to this hypothesis, the neuroanatomical changes are necessary to support the transition to a more complex behavior. The second hypothesis predicts that changes in brain structure occur as a consequence of changes in behavior. According to this hypothesis, the neuroanatomical changes are necessary to support the continued performance of a more complex behavior. Drs. Fahrbach and Robinson will explore these hypotheses by studying brain structures insects after endocrine and experiential factors are experimentally manipulated. Studies of brain region volumes, synapse formation and molecular events leading to neural plasticity will be undertaken. The principal significance of this research will be to contribute to our understanding of the neuroanatomical basis for hormone-mediated behavioral plasticity in adult animals and humans.