DYNAMICAL PROPERTIES OF THALAMIC PROCESSING CIRCUITS

描述：（改编自研究者摘要）突触耦合 神经元的局部网络处理和转换感觉输入和来自 更高的处理水平。这些相互作用被认为有助于 通过动态地响应大脑中的变化来适应感觉运动行为。 外部环境，以及大脑内部表达的变化， 这种环境。在以前的研究中，申请人使用单一单位 记录，计算机建模和动力系统分析，以描述如何 内在膜特性与局部电路相互作用之间的相互作用 大鼠皮层内回路对丘脑输入的影响 桶（躯体感觉）皮层。他们现在建议将这些工具应用于研究 丘脑回路本身。这种回路涉及相互作用 丘脑网状核（RT）中的抑制性神经元与 丘脑皮质（TC）神经元。RT神经元接受TC和皮质丘脑 输入，并具有显着的非线性特性。这些属性，以及 它们之间以及与TC细胞之间的相互作用， 神经元既用于门控又用于调节感觉信号的传递 信息传递到皮层。拟议的实验将采用单一单元 细胞外记录结合受控的触须刺激，或 基于胡须的行为模式数学分析将用于 描述单个神经元和电路的动力学特征， 它们被嵌入其中。了解局部电路在 产生分布式神经元系统的动力学特性， 弥合细胞生理学和最终诊断之间的差距， 治疗知觉/运动和其他认知功能障碍 中枢神经系统的创伤和疾病状态。

DESCRIPTION: (Adapted from the Investigator's Abstract) Synaptically coupled local networks of neurons process and transform sensory inputs and inputs from higher processing levels. These interactions are thought to contribute to adaptive sensorimotor behaviors by responding dynamically to changes in the external environment, and to changes in the brain's internal representation of this environment. In previous studies the applicants used single unit recordings, computer modeling and dynamical system analysis to describe how the interplay between intrinsic membrane properties and local circuit interactions affect processing of thalamic inputs by intracortical circuits in the rat barrel (somatosensory) cortex. They now propose to apply these tools to study the thalamic circuitry itself. This circuitry involves reciprocal interactions between inhibitory neurons in the reticular nucleus of the thalamus (RT) and thalamocortical (TC) neurons. RT neurons receive both TC and corticothalamic inputs, and possess striking non-linear properties. These properties, and interactions among themselves and with TC cells, strategically position RT neurons both for gating and for modulating the transmission of sensory information to the cortex. The proposed experiments will employ single-unit extracellular recordings in conjunction with controlled whisker stimuli or whisker-based behavioral paradigms. Mathematical analyses will be used to characterize the dynamics of the individual neurons and of the circuits in which the are embedded. An understanding of the role of local circuits in generating dynamic properties of distributed neuronal systems in essential for bridging the gap between cellular physiology and eventual diagnosis and treatment of perceptual/motor and other cognitive dysfunctions associated with trauma and disease states of the central nervous system.