Neurobiology of Simple Forms of Learning in the Zebrafish

该奖项是根据2009年《美国复苏和再投资法案》(公法111-5)提供资金的。科学中一个尚未解决的主要问题是大脑如何存储和回忆信息。虽然近几十年来已经取得了重大进展，但为了完全理解学习和记忆的神经基础，仍有许多工作要做。这种理解的一个重大障碍是哺乳动物大脑的巨大复杂性。出于这个原因，开发一种更简单的模型系统来研究学习和记忆的基本生物学机制将是有用的。在项目期间，将对斑马鱼(Danio Rerio)的简单学习形式进行行为和电生理调查。斑马鱼虽然是脊椎动物，但表现出几种反射性行为，这些行为是由其后脑和脊髓中相对简单的神经元电路介导的。该项目将专注于斑马鱼幼体的惊吓反射。将试图确定斑马鱼中枢神经系统的具体变化，特别是神经元之间突触连接强度的变化，这些突触连接介导三种基本形式的学习：习惯性、敏感化和经典条件反射。这些研究的潜在动机是，了解斑马鱼幼体学习的神经基础将为包括人类在内的更复杂生物的学习和记忆提供重要的见解。该项目将为博士后研究员以及在实验室工作的本科生提供独特的培训机会。

This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5). A major unsolved problem in science is how the brain stores and recalls information. While significant progress has been made in recent decades, much work remains to be done in order to achieve a complete understanding the neural basis of learning and memory. A significant impediment toward such an understanding is the vast complexity of the mammalian brain. For this reason it would be useful to develop a simpler model system in which to study fundamental biological mechanisms of learning and memory. During the project behavioral and electrophysiological investigations of simple forms of learning in the zebrafish (Danio rerio) will be carried out. The zebrafish, although a vertebrate organism, exhibits several reflexive behaviors that are mediated by relatively simple neuronal circuits in its hindbrain and spinal cord. The project will focus on the startle reflex in the larval zebrafish. Attempts will be made to identify specific changes in the central nervous system of the zebrafish, particularly changes in the strength of synaptic connections between neurons that mediate three basic forms of learning: habituation, sensitization and classical conditioning. The underlying motivation of these investigations is that an understanding of the neural basis of learning in the larval zebrafish will provide important insights into learning and memory in more complex organisms, including humans. The project will provide unique training opportunities for a postdoctoral investigator, as well as for undergraduate students working in the laboratory.