CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY OF CORTICAL DEVELOPMENT

描述（逐字从申请人的摘要）：该项目地址 突触形成的基本分子和细胞生物学机制 哺乳动物中枢神经系统（CNS）。这项研究将使用新的光学 成像方法和各种分子和生理干预 探讨大鼠海马神经元突触发生的早期阶段 神经元我们提出的实验将解决三组问题：1。 什么样的细胞运动和生长过程启动物理细胞与细胞接触， 突触组装的特定位点，以及这些运动机制 监管？2.细胞粘附分子（特别是细胞粘附分子） 钙粘蛋白超家族）在维持突触发生接触和触发 突触组装3.什么是动态的粘附，突触前活动区 细胞-细胞接触后的组装和新生突触前功能. 突触部位这项工作将提供有关以下方面的基本新信息： 目前尚未探索的CNS突触形成机制。这些信息 应该阐明负责正常和病理的过程 神经系统的发育和生长，特别是神经系统的形成 突触电路拓扑。实验解决电的影响 活动和神经递质对突触发生的影响应该有助于解释 经验影响大脑发育，也可能提供洞察力， 新突触形成在学习和记忆中的可能作用。这项工作 还应帮助制定合理的战略， 创伤后神经系统再生和功能恢复， 中风

DESCRIPTION (Verbatim from the Applicant's Abstract): This project addresses basic molecular and cell biological mechanisms of synapse formation in the mammalian central nervous system (CNS). This research will use novel optical imaging methods and a wide variety of molecular and physiological interventions to explore early stages of synaptogenesis in cultures of rat hippocampal neurons. The experiments we propose will address three sets of questions: 1. What cell motility and growth processes initiate physical cell-cell contact at specific sites of synapse assembly, and how are these motility mechanisms regulated? 2. What roles cell adhesion molecules (particularly members of the cadherin superfamily) play in sustaining synaptogenic contact and triggering synapse assembly? 3. What are the dynamics of adhesion, presynaptic active zone assembly and nascent presynaptic function following cell-cell contact at synaptic sites? This work will provide fundamental new information about presently unexplored mechanisms of CNS synapse formation. This information should illuminate the processes responsible for both normal and pathological development and growth of the nervous system, especially the creation of synaptic circuit topologies. Experiments addressing effects of electrical activity and neurotransmitters on synaptogenesis should help explain how early experience effects brain development and may also provide insights into possible roles of new synapse formation in learning and memory. This work should also help in efforts to devise rational strategies to promote central nervous system regeneration and recovery of function following trauma and stroke.