Corticocortical interactions in visual working memory

描述（由申请人提供）：本研究的长期目标是验证一个假设，即工作记忆中关于物体身份和/或位置的信息的维持涉及分布在包括背外侧前额叶、后顶叶和下颞皮质区域的分布式网络中的神经元群体的合作相互作用。为了实现这一目标，我们计划开发和实施三种基本方法，然后测试将它们结合在一个单一的实验范式中的可行性。首先，我们将训练猕猴执行动眼性Go/No-Go延迟匹配样本任务。该任务要求动物灵活地整合和保留有关复杂视觉对象的身份和/或空间位置的信息，并利用这些信息形成基于规则的行为决策。其次，我们设计了一种新型的微操作器，它可以在一个记录室中记录多达36个独立可移动的微电极的神经元活动。我们计划构建、测试和优化这些装置，然后使用它们记录动物在执行行为任务时前额叶背外侧、后顶叶和颞下皮层区域的神经元活动的时空模式。第三，我们已经开发了一种全面的方法来快速时间尺度上神经元相关性的统计量化。我们计划收集初步的实验数据，并使用这些分析方法来调查这三个区域在场电位和单个单位水平上的活动的统计关系。这项研究计划是研究视觉认知皮层机制的长期项目的初始阶段。由于几个原因，它特别适合R21计划的目标。将开发各种新技术来进行实验，包括外科、机械、电生理和行为方法的创新。新的分析方法将被纳入评估和解释结果数据。并且，完成这个研究计划的初始阶段将为未来的应用奠定基础。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The long-term goal of the proposed research is to test the hypothesis that the maintenance of information about object identity and/or location in working memory involves the cooperative interaction of populations of neurons located in a distributed network that includes dorsolateral prefrontal, posterior parietal and inferior temporal cortical regions. To accomplish this goal, we plan to develop and implement three essential methodologies and then test the feasibility of combining them in a single experimental paradigm. First, we will train macaque monkeys to perform an oculomotor Go/No-Go delayed match-to-sample task. The task requires the animals to flexibly integrate and retain information about the identity and/or spatial location of complex visual objects, and use this information to form a rule-based behavioral decision. Second, we have designed a new type of micromanipulator that enables the semi-chronic recording of neuronal activity from up to 36 independently moveable microelectrodes housed within a single recording chamber. We plan to construct, test and optimize these devices, and then use them to record spatio-temporal patterns of neuronal activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal, posterior parietal, and inferior temporal cortical areas while the animals perform the behavioral task. Third, we have developed a comprehensive approach to the statistical quantification of neuronal correlations on a fast time scale. We plan to collect an initial body of experimental data and use these analytic methods to investigate the statistical relations of activity in these three areas at both the field potential and single unit levels. This research plan constitutes the initial phase of a long-term project to study the cortical mechanisms underlying visual cognition. For several reasons, it is particularly well suited to the goals of the R21 program. A variety of new techniques will be developed to conduct the experiments, including innovations in surgical, mechanical, electrophysiological and behavioral methods. New analytical methods will be incorporated to evaluate and interpret the resulting data. And, completion of this initial phase of the research plan will form the basis for future applications.