SGER: Using Split-Brains to Determine the Role of the Mushroom Body Lobes in Learning and Memory

动物（包括人类）需要海马体来记忆地点。目前的探索性研究项目将使用新的裂脑策略来研究昆虫大脑中称为蘑菇体（MB）的区域，这是哺乳动物海马体的功能类似物。首席研究员（PI）之前的研究表明，脑中突起的神经元组织与海马体类似，而且脑中突起是记忆地点所必需的。这项计划中的研究是基于MBs的结构、功能和发育属性的广泛信息，反驳了传统观点，即这些大脑中心是存储嗅觉数据的嗅觉分析仪。通过PI进行的跨物种比较表明，海马状突起处理多种类型的感觉，海马体也是如此。MBs将被用作海马体模型，以研究在空间任务学习过程中神经元发生的变化。这项研究的独特之处在于，它比较了一种大型昆虫的左脑和右脑，这种昆虫的大脑在实验前可以被分割。实验只测试了大脑的一侧，使用空间学习范式——将图像的位置与气味联系起来——由眼睛和这一侧的天线感知。另一个“幼稚”方提供控制。这两个侧面被用来比较与记忆获取相关的分子、功能和结构改变。这种方法将允许使用荧光抗体在特定神经元中检测与学习和记忆相关的蛋白质。这些神经元将通过记录方法和电子显微镜进一步研究。本研究的广泛影响：1)为我们对学习和记忆中心的理解提供了范式转变；2)为工程人工神经形态记忆电路生成数据；3)为本科生科研训练提供了一个可接近的非脊椎动物模型。

Animals (including man) require the hippocampus for remembering places. The present exploratory research project will use novel split-brain strategies to investigate a region of the insect brain called the mushroom body (MB) - a functional analogue of the mammalian hippocampus. Previous research by the Principle Investigator' (PI) has shown that neuronal organization in the MBs is like that of the hippocampus and that the MBs are required for remembering places. The planned research, which is based on extensive information on structural, functional, and developmental attributes of MBs, speaks against orthodox opinion that these brain centers are olfactory analyzers storing olfactory data. Comparisons across species by the PI show that MBs process many types of sensations, as does the hippocampus. MBs will be used as models of the hippocampus to investigate changes that occur in neurons during the learning of a spatial task. The research is unique in that it compares the left and right MBs in a large insect species whose brain can be split before the experiment. Experiments test only one side of the brain using a spatial learning paradigm - associating the position of an image with an odor - perceived by the eye and the antenna of that side. The other "naive" side provides the control. The two sides are used to compare molecular, functional, and structural alterations associated with memory acquisition. This method will allow detection in specific neurons of proteins associated with learning and memory, using fluorescent antibodies. These neurons will be further investigated using recording methods and electron microscopy. Broader impacts of this research: 1) provides paradigmatic shift in our understanding of a learning and memory center; 2) generates data for engineering artificial neuromorphic memory circuits; 3) provides an accessible non-vertebrate model for undergraduate research training.