DYNAMICAL PROPERTIES OF THALAMIC PROCESSING CIRCUITS

描述：(改编自《调查者摘要》)突触耦合 神经元的局部网络处理和转换感觉输入和来自 更高的处理级别。这些相互作用被认为有助于 通过动态响应变化来适应感觉运动行为 外部环境，以及大脑内部表征的变化 这种环境。在以前的研究中，申请者使用单一单位 录音、计算机建模和动力系统分析来描述 固有膜特性和局部电路相互作用之间的相互作用 皮层内回路对大鼠丘脑传入信息处理的影响 桶(体感)皮层。他们现在提议将这些工具应用于研究 丘脑回路本身。这种电路包括相互作用。 丘脑网状核(RT)抑制性神经元与 丘脑皮质(TC)神经元。RT神经元同时接受TC和皮质丘脑 并且具有显著的非线性特性。这些属性，以及 它们之间以及与TC细胞的相互作用，在战略上定位RT 用于选通和调节感觉传递的神经元 信息传到大脑皮层。拟议的实验将采用单一单元 细胞外记录与控制的胡须刺激或 基于胡须的行为范式。数学分析将被用来 描述单个神经元和电路的动力学特征 它们被嵌入其中。理解本地电路在网络中的作用 在Essential for中生成分布式神经元系统的动力学性质 弥合细胞生理学和最终诊断之间的差距 知觉/运动和其他认知功能障碍的治疗 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.