GRADED SYNAPTIC TRANSMISSION IN LOCAL NEURAL CIRCUITS

拟议研究的目的是增加我们对 局部回路神经元使用的突触机制，特别是， 目的：研究突触分级传递(GST)在动作电位中的作用。 局部环路神经元。眼前的目标是理解 谷胱甘肽转移酶在无脊椎动物模型系统口胃中的作用 刺龙虾的神经节，中断全龙虾。本期对本土化的研究 电路神经元将描述神经元到神经元的GST行为并将其进行比较 刺激诱发突触后电位(PSPs)的行为 神经元。详细研究了GST和A的潜在机制 与PSP的比较将集中在电压相关离子电流上 (例如，突触前钙电流)。我们将会关注 突触的可塑性特性，包括时间依赖效应。方法 这项研究中使用的包括细胞内体细胞和神经细胞 记录和全电池电压钳技术。人们对此知之甚少 GST和较少的关于GST，因为它发生在尖峰神经元。商品及服务税和商品及服务税 属性及其底层机制以前从未 在同时使用GST和PSP作为正常的一部分的神经元中进行检查 功能。然而，许多细胞参与了脑内局部神经元回路 主要的无脊椎动物门和哺乳动物(包括人类)可能两者都使用 GST和PSPs作为突触通讯的方式。这项研究应该是 这是了解这些神经元功能的第一步。

The objective of the proposed research is to increase our understanding of the synaptic mechanisms used by local circuit neurons and, in particular, to study the function of graded synaptic transmission (GST) in spiking, local circuit neurons. The immediate objective is to understand the functioning of GST in an invertebrate model system, the stomatogastric ganglion of the spiny lobster, Panulirus interruptus. This study of local circuit neurons will describe neuron-to-neuron GST behavior and compare it to the behavior of spike-evoked postsynaptic potentials (PSPs) in the same neurons. A detailed study of the mechanisms underlying GST and a comparison to those of PSPs will focus on voltage dependent ionic currents (e.g., presynaptic calcium current). Attention will be given to the plastic properties of synapses, including time dependent effects. Methods to be used in this study include intracellular somatic and neuropil recording and whole cell voltage clamp techniques. Little is known about GST and less about GST as it occurs in spiking neurons. GST and PSP properties and their underlying mechanisms have never previously been examined in neurons which use both GST and PSPs as a part of normal function. However, many cells involved in local neuronal circuits in the major invertebrate phyla and in mammals (including man) probably use both GST and PSPs as methods of synaptic communication. This research should be a first step toward understanding how these neurons function.