Synaptic Mechanisms for the Processing of Temporal Codes

在这个项目中，来自圣路易斯华盛顿大学的研究人员将研究神经系统如何利用时间来分析感官信息。外周感觉系统经常将刺激编码为神经活动的精确时间。然而，对于中央大脑回路如何分析这些时间代码，从而使生物体能够检测和响应与行为相关的刺激，人们知之甚少。本项目的目标是确定突触，神经元和电路介导时间编码处理的机制。电鱼对时间信息非常敏感。此外，相关的脑回路在完整的动物和减少的准备中都是独一无二的，这为直接将信息处理与突触生理学联系起来提供了难得的机会。通过结合电生理学、神经元成像和药理学，研究人员将确定电鱼的大脑如何检测到神经元活动时间上的微小差异。这项研究通过提供对所有大脑如何处理感觉信息的机制理解，将被证明具有广泛的适用性。此外，该项目将导致开发新的、广泛适用的方法，用于完整动物神经元的靶向记录。电鱼是教育公众神经科学和行为的绝佳工具。作为一种奇异的生物，它们吸引了广泛的观众，它们提供了一个独特的机会来进行简单的、非侵入性的神经生理学实验。学生、教师和公众将发展他们自己的科学假设，设计和执行实验来检验这些假设，然后在一个开放的论坛上讨论结果。让学生、教师和公众接触到科学探究的过程，将有助于揭开科学的神秘面纱，培养对科学知识本质的更深层次的理解。

In this project, researchers from Washington University in St. Louis will study how nervous systems use time to analyze sensory information. Peripheral sensory systems often encode stimuli into the precise timing of neural activity. However, little is known about how central brain circuits analyze these temporal codes so that an organism can detect and respond to behaviorally-relevant stimuli. The goal of this project is to identify the mechanisms that mediate the processing of temporal codes by synapses, neurons and circuits. Electric fish are exquisitely sensitive to timing information. In addition, the relevant brain circuits are uniquely approachable in both intact animals and reduced preparations, providing a rare opportunity to directly link information processing to synaptic physiology. Using a combination of electrophysiology, neuronal imaging and pharmacology, the researchers will determine how the brains of electric fish can detect small differences in the timing of neuronal activity. This research will prove broadly applicable by providing a mechanistic understanding of how all brains process sensory information. In addition, the project will lead to the development of novel, widely applicable methods for the targeted recording of neurons in intact animals. Electric fish are an excellent tool for educating the public about neuroscience and behavior. As exotic creatures, they attract a wide audience, and they provide a unique opportunity to perform simple, non-invasive neurophysiology experiments. Students, teachers and the general public will develop their own scientific hypotheses, design and execute experiments to test those hypotheses, and then discuss the results in an open forum. Exposing students, teachers and the public to the process of scientific inquiry will help demystify science and foster a deeper appreciation for the nature of scientific knowledge.