Perceptual Circuits in Somatosensory Cortices

描述(申请人提供)：这项研究将与匈牙利布达佩斯塞梅尔韦斯大学的Laszlo Negyessy博士合作完成，作为NIH R01 NS044375(PI：Anna W.Roe)父母资助的延伸。本研究的目的是探讨松鼠猴SI区触觉信息处理的神经解剖学基础。母基金的目标是1)研究3b区和1区特定振感(压力、颤动和振动)表征的功能组织，以及2)比较3b区和1区的简单反应偏好和复杂反应偏好。本Firca中建议的研究将在父母资助下进行的光学成像和神经生理学研究的指导和整合下进行。神经解剖示踪剂注射(顺行和逆行)将在3b区和1区进行功能识别的区域。在目标1中，我们将检查3b区和1区内震颤触觉网络的形态特异性。在目标2中，我们将检查3b区和1区内连接的地形图特异性。在目标3中，在超微结构研究中，我们将检查由固有连接和区域间连接形成的突触的GABA能靶的突触关系，以帮助解释特定连接的功能效应是兴奋性的还是抑制性的。这些数据将为成像的振动触觉网络、空间地形图、区域3b和1之间的功能比较以及感知现象的地图(如漏斗错觉)提供解剖学基础。很少有人研究躯体感觉皮层内的局部解剖回路，据我们所知，没有一项研究是与局部功能组织和知觉过程的功能研究相结合的。这些解剖学数据本身将是非常有价值的，但当与父母拨款中的功能研究并行解释时，更是如此。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This research will be done in collaboration with Dr. Laszlo Negyessy at Budapest, Hungary at Semmelweis University as an extension of parent grant NIH R01 NS044375 (PI: Anna W. Roe). The goal of the proposed studies is to investigate the neuroanatomical basis of tactile information processing in SI of the squirrel monkey. The goals of the parent grant are to 1) study the functional organization of vibrotactile modality- specific (pressure, flutter, and vibration) representation in Area 3b and 1, and 2) compare the simple vs. complex response preferences in Area 3b and 1. The studies proposed in this Firca will be guided by and integrated with the optical imaging and neurophysiological studies conducted under the parent grant. Neuroanatomical tracer injections (both anterograde and retrograde) will be made into functionally identified domains in Areas 3b and 1. In Aim 1, we will examine modality-specificity of vibrotactile networks within Areas 3b and Area 1. In Aim 2, we will examine topographic specificity of connections within Areas 3b and 1. In Aim 3, in ultrastructural studies, we will examine synaptic relationships of GABAergic targets of synapses formed by the intrinsic-, and interareal connections to help interpret whether functional effects of specific connections are excitatory or inhibitory. These data will provide an anatomical underpinning to imaged vibrotactile networks, to spatial topographies, to functional comparisons between Areas 3b and 1, and to maps of perceptual phenomena such as the funneling illusion. There are very few studies examining local anatomical circuitries within somatosensory cortex and to our knowledge none have been conducted in an integrated fashion with functional studies of local functional organization and perceptual processes. These anatomical data will be highly valuable in their own right, but will be even more so when interpreted in parallel with functional studies in the parent grant.