NITRIC OXIDE, SYNAPTIC PLASTICITY, & FEAR MEMORY FORMATION IN THE AMYGDALA

记忆在大脑中的形成被认为与脑细胞之间的连接加强有关。为了完成这种强化，脑细胞需要通过化学信号相互沟通。该项目的主要目的是研究一种化学信号的作用：一氧化氮。一氧化氮信号的作用将在一种称为恐惧条件反射的行为范式中进行研究。在这个范例中，动物在与有害或厌恶的刺激一起出现后，开始学会害怕最初情绪中性的刺激或物体。众所周知，恐惧条件反射与杏仁核（大脑颞叶的一个特定区域）脑细胞之间的变化有关。该项目将使用生化技术来检测恐惧调节期间和之后杏仁核中的一氧化氮信号。其他实验将采用行为和电生理记录技术来检查一氧化氮及其靶在杏仁核中形成恐惧记忆中的作用。总的来说，这些实验将进一步加深我们对杏仁核中学习和记忆的大脑机制的理解。此外，这些项目将为本科生和研究生提供一个理想的训练机会，让他们在许多不同的神经生物学技术，使他们在神经科学的高级学习做好准备。

The formation of memories in the brain is thought to involve the strengthening of connections between brain cells. To accomplish this strengthening, brain cells need to communicate with each other via chemical signals. The major aim of this project is to investigate the contribution of one such chemical signal: nitric oxide. The role of nitric oxide signaling will be investigated in a behavioral paradigm called fear conditioning. In this paradigm, an animal comes to learn to fear an initially emotionally neutral stimulus or object after it has been presented together with the presentation of a noxious or an aversive stimulus. Fear conditioning is known to involve alterations between brain cells in the amygdala, a specific region of the brain's temporal lobe. This project will use biochemical techniques to examine nitric oxide signaling in the amygdala during and after fear conditioning. Other experiments will employ behavioral and electrophysiological recording techniques to examine the role of nitric oxide and its targets in the formation of fear memories in the amygdala. Collectively, these experiments will add further to our understanding of the brain mechanisms underlying learning and memory in the amygdala. Further, the projects will provide an ideal training opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students in a number of different neurobiological techniques, leaving them well prepared for advanced study in the Neurosciences.