DETERMINANTS OF OPTIC AXON OUTGROWTH

描述(调查人员摘要)：申请者计划学习 啮齿动物大脑发育中支持视神经所需的条件 轴突生长和建立适当的终末连接 在已知的支持轴突生长的分子和神经纤维的延伸之间 视网膜神经节细胞轴突。此外，申请者还将审查 通过以下方式产生最佳延伸和连接形成的条件 视网膜移植到新生和胎鼠脑内的异位部位。 其中一系列研究将集中在成长过程本身和 支持它的底物，而另一个将检查什么因素 影响视神经移植后再生能力的实验研究 支配视觉中心，与其他光学输入竞争目标 并在视觉中心内形成地形图。 这样的信息将提供对电路如何实现最佳 建立了视觉功能。它还将定义条件 创建替代路径以替换损坏的主光纤所必需的 关系。

DESCRIPTION (Investigator's Abstract): The applicants plan to study conditions in the developing rodent brain necessary for supporting optic axon outgrowth and for establishing appropriate terminal connections between molecules known to support axonal outgrowth and the extension of retinal ganglion cell axons. In addition, the applicants will examine the conditions that produce optimal outgrowth and formation of connections by retinae transplanted to ectopic sites in neonatal and fetal rodent brains. One series of studies will focus on the outgrowth process itself and the substrates that support it while the other will examine what factors influence the ability of optic axons originating from transplants to innervate visual centers, to compete with other optic inputs for target space and to form topographic maps within visual centers. Such information will provide insight into how the circuitry for optimal visual function is established. It will also define the conditions necessary for creating surrogate pathways to replace damaged primary optic connections.