Simple Forms of Learning and Memory in Zebrafish

本项目的目的是将斑马鱼（Danio rerio）开发成一个有用的模型系统，用于理解学习和记忆的细胞和分子机制。 为了达到这个目的，将研究这种脊椎动物有机体中几种简单学习形式的行为调查。 行为实验将集中在鱼的惊吓反射的经验依赖性调制。 这项研究将集中在简单形式的学习，包括适应和敏化的惊跳反射在斑马鱼幼虫的主要研究者将试图证明更持久的学习形式在斑马鱼幼虫，特别是中期和长期的习惯和敏化。 此外，该项目还将研究惊吓反射是否可以进行联想学习。 他将试图展示鱼的一种习得性恐惧：恐惧增强的惊吓反射。 鉴于可以开发出用于斑马鱼幼虫的强大的学习形式，药理学技术将用于开始了解鱼类联想学习的神经和分子过程。 例如，将在蛋白质或RNA合成的抑制剂中进行训练，以确定各种形式的记忆是否依赖于翻译或基因转录。此外，各种蛋白激酶和蛋白磷酸酶的活性的特异性抑制剂将用于测试这些激酶/磷酸酶在斑马鱼学习中的作用。 拟议的实验将大大有助于理解大脑如何介导学习和记忆，以及认知。 这些知识对改善美国的教育方法非常有用，并将为本科生提供使用最先进方法的独特培训机会。

The purpose of this project will be to develop the zebrafish (Danio rerio) into a useful model system for understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying learning and memory. Towards this end, behavioral investigations of several simple forms of learning in this vertebrate organism will be examined. The behavioral experiments will focus on experience-dependent modulation of the fish's startle reflex. The research will focus on simple forms of learning, including habituation and sensitization of the startle reflex in larval zebrafish The Principal Investigator will attempt to demonstrate more long-lasting forms of learning in zebrafish larvae, particularly intermediate- and long-term habituation and sensitization. In addition, the project will investigate whether the startle reflex can undergo associative learning. He will attempt to show a type of learned fear in the fish: the fear-potentiated startle reflex. Given that robust forms of learning can be developed for use in zebrafish larvae, pharmacological techniques will be used to begin to understand the neural and molecular processes that underlie associative learning in the fish. For example, training will be performed in inhibitors of protein or RNA synthesis in order to determine whether the various forms of memory depend on translation or gene transcription. Furthermore, specific inhibitors of the activity of various protein kinases and protein phosphatases will be used to test for roles for these kinases/phosphatases in learning in zebrafish. The proposed experiments will contribute significantly to an understanding of how the brain mediates learning and memory, as well cognition. Such knowledge should be highly useful for improving educational methods in the United States and will offer undergraduate students unique training opportunities using state-of-the-art methodologies.