AUDIOMOTOR INTEGRATION IN MIDBRAIN

这个建议的长期目标是阐明哺乳动物的声音整合的神经基质。回声定位蝙蝠是研究声音整合的理想选择，因为它们会根据返回回声的特征不断修改发声参数。在马蹄蝙蝠中，中脑被盖（PL）被认为是中央参与协调听觉输入与发声。 传入投射从几个地方沿着主要的听觉通路收敛在PL，PL传出被称为影响发声。PL由至少五个亚群组成，它们的反应特性和细胞结构可区分，每个亚群都可能参与不同运动模式的调制。 这个建议的目标是确定每个PL细分的传入和传出投射模式的药理学性质，以及每个区域对听觉-运动整合的贡献。具体而言，将生物素缀合的鹅膏蕈氨酸（NMDA激动剂）和蝇蕈醇（GABA激动剂）注射到每个分区中，同时监测清醒和行为动物的发声。自发发声的蝙蝠将与人工回声，并分析后续发声的参数。 之后，将对大脑进行组织学检查。将评估每个PL细分对声音-发声整合的贡献，沿着药理学、注射部位的特定映射、细胞结构和投射模式。 最终，这项工作将改善听力受损人群的语言治疗。

The long-term goal of this proposal is to elucidate the neural substrate underlying audio-vocal integration in mammals. Echolocating bats are ideal for studying audio-vocal integration because they continually modify the parameters of their vocalizations based upon characteristics of the returning echo. In the horseshoe bat, the midbrain paralemniscal tegmentum (PL) is believed to be centrally involved in the coordination of auditory input with vocalization. Afferent projections from several places along the main auditory pathways converge within the PL, and PL efferents are known to influence vocalization. The PL is composed of at least five subpopulations distinguishable by their response properties and cytoarchitecture, and each is potentially involved in the modulation of different motor patterns. The goal of this proposal is to identify the pharmacological nature of the afferent and efferent projection patterns of each PL subdivision, and the contributions of each region to audio-motor integration. Specifically, biotin-conjugated Ibotenic acid (NMDA agonist) and muscimol (GABA agonist) will be injected into each subdivision while monitoring vocalizations in the awake and behaving animal. Spontaneously vocalizing bats will be presented with artificial echoes, and the parameters of succeeding vocalizations will be analyzed. Afterwards, the brain will be examined histologically. The contributions of each PL subdivision to audio-vocal integration will be assessed, along with pharmacology, a specific mapping of injection sites, cytoarchitectures, and projection patterns. Ultimately this work should lead to improved speech therapies for hearing impaired humans.