Mechanisms of spontaneous activity in embryonic hindbrain pacemaker neurons

在发育中的大脑中，自发活动（不受外部输入驱动）对于适当的回路形成至关重要。 这些实验将研究胚胎小鼠后脑中多巴胺能神经元开始和停止表达自发活动的机制。 这些神经元驱动整个后脑的电活动波，这对于确定轴突投射的轴突能神经元和跟随神经元都很重要。 先前的研究表明，药物阻断5-羟色胺受体可以防止自发活动的发生。 目前的目标是，使用生理和解剖技术，阐明机制（S）管理的活动和5-羟色胺受体信号在发病中的作用。 此外，还将确定在3个发育日内决定驱动细胞活性回缩和停止的机制。 这项工作的特点是重要的过程中的调节自发活动，指导正确的网络形成。 因此，它研究了神经元在发育过程中发现和保持正确的神经支配模式的基本机制。 该实验室已经有许多本科生和一些高中生参与了研究项目，到出版的地步。 这包括为残疾高中生举办为期一周的讲习班，作为暑期方案的一部分，学生们能够使用生理技术并观察自发活动。

In the developing brain, spontaneous activity (not driven by external input) is critical for appropriate circuit formation. These experiments will investigate the mechanisms by which serotonergic neurons in the embryonic mouse hindbrain begin and cease expression of spontaneous activity. These neurons drive waves of electrical activity across the entire hindbrain, which is important in specifying axonal projections both of the serotonergic neurons, and in follower neurons. Previous work has shown that pharmacological blockade of the serotonin receptor prevents the onset of the spontaneous activity. The current goals, using physiological and anatomical techniques, are elucidating the mechanism(s) governing the onset of activity and the role of serotonin receptor signaling in that onset. In addition, the mechanism(s) that dictate the retraction of activity to the driver cells and cessation over 3 developmental days will be determined. This work characterizes important processes in the regulation of spontaneous activity which directs correct network formation. Thus, it examines the basic mechanisms by which neurons find and maintain correct innervation patterns during development. The lab has had many undergraduates and a number of high school students participate in the research project, to the point of publication. This includes a week-long workshop for disabled high school students as part of a summer program, where the students are able to use physiological techniques and observe spontaneous activity.