Modulation of sensory processing in the rodent olfactory system

嗅觉系统的感觉输入最初由嗅球中的神经回路处理。气味信息处理的这个最早阶段已经展示了令人着迷的信号调制选项，因为它从不同的神经调制大脑中心接受丰富的离心神经支配。相应地，嗅球的输出显示清醒动物的感官反应有显著的调制。然而，目前还没有研究OB活动作为行为状态(例如注意力或主动嗅探)的函数的调节的报告。了解感觉信息处理的最早阶段是如何以上下文相关的方式进行调制的，对于充分理解嗅觉系统的功能是至关重要的。因此，我在美国波士顿大学马特·沃乔维亚克教授的实验室工作了两年，目的是研究啮齿动物嗅觉系统中感觉信息处理的调制。这个项目的主要问题是：-主动感觉如何调节嗅觉感觉输入？-产生调制输入的基础神经系统是什么？-这些调制输入是在什么时候/在什么情况下被激活的？这项研究将提供关于以状态和上下文相关的方式在嗅觉系统中调节感觉信息处理的神经系统招募的第一批数据。

Sensory inputs to the olfactory system are initially processed by neural circuits in the olfactory bulb. Already this earliest stage of odor information processing displays fascinating signal modulation options since it receives rich centrifugal innervation from diverse neuromodulatory brain centers. In accordance, the output of the olfactory bulb shows a remarkable modulation of sensory responses in awake animals. However, there are currently no reports available investigating the modulation of OB activity as a function of behavioral state (e.g. attention or active sniffing). Understanding how the earliest stage of sensory information processing is modulated in a context dependent fashion is critical to fully understanding olfactory system function. Therefore my two year research-stay in the laboratory of Prof. Matt Wachowiak (Boston University, Boston, United States) aims at investigating the modulation of sensory information processing in the rodent olfactory system. The main questions of this project are:- How does active sensing modulate olfactory sensory input?- What are the underlying neural systems giving rise to modulatory inputs?- When/under which circumstances are these modulatory inputs activated?This research will provide first data on the recruitment of neural systems that modulate sensory information processing in the olfactory system in a state- and context-dependent manner.