The hibernator as a model system for neural plasticity

描述（由申请人提供）：可塑性是神经元响应刺激改变其结构和功能的能力。形态可塑性，如树突乔木化，似乎在年轻生物中最突出，与最激烈的学习和大脑发育时期相关。冬眠的动物可能是这个规则的一个戏剧性的例外。一些研究表明，结构和突触的可塑性都发生在成年冬眠动物身上，其程度是任何其他系统都无法揭示的。对这些现象的确认和对该系统基本动力学的理解，可以证明冬眠动物是研究可塑性问题的一个信息模型系统，包括成年哺乳动物的可塑性调节机制。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Plasticity is the ability of neurons to change their structure and function in response to stimuli. Morphological plasticity, such as dendritic arborization, appears to be most prominent in young organisms, correlating with the most intense period of learning and brain development. Hibernating animals may be a dramatic exception to this rule. A few studies suggest that both structural and synaptic plasticity are taking place in the adult hibernator to an extent not revealed by any other system. Confirmation of these phenomena and understanding of basic dynamics of this system could prove the hibernator to be an informative model system for studying questions of plasticity, including mechanisms for its regulation in adult mammals. We intend to develop a hibernator, the golden-mantled ground squirrel, as a model system for studying structural and synaptic plasticity in an adult mammal. Several fundamental questions about this system will be addressed. First, to what degree is hibernation-related plasticity demonstrated throughout the brain, and do regional differences in electrical activity during hibernation influence plasticity? What is the time course for these changes throughout the hibernation bout? And last, is this phenomenon dependent upon brain temperature? This proposal will address all three questions using intracellular Lucifer Yellow injections and synaptic marker immunofluorescence. Studying neural plasticity in adulthood has far-reaching consequences for medicine. The discovery of mechanisms underlying adult neural plasticity has the potential to progress current treatments of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, and acute traumatic and ischemic insults.