Dynamic Properties of Elementary Inhibitory Circuits

描述（由申请人提供）：前馈抑制回路是皮层神经元突触抑制的主要来源。然而，它们控制皮层神经元活动的具体方式却知之甚少。本研究的目的是探讨丘脑传入神经激活的前馈抑制回路控制皮层神经元兴奋性的机制。我们将测试的假设，丘脑-皮层前馈抑制减少皮层神经元的整合时间窗口，并强制执行丘脑和皮层之间的信号传输的时间保真度。 这项建议有两个目的：目的1探讨丘脑-皮层前馈抑制在控制皮层神经元整合时间窗和发放时间中的作用。 目的2探讨丘脑-皮层前馈抑制的细胞机制。实验将使用电生理学和形态学技术在急性小鼠丘脑-皮质切片上进行。 这项研究将提供深入了解前馈抑制的功能作用和神经元网络平衡兴奋与突触抑制的机制。更深入地了解控制皮质兴奋性的机制可能有助于开发旨在预防皮质区癫痫发生的治疗方法。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Feed-forward inhibitory circuits are a major source of synaptic inhibition to cortical neurons. The specific means by which they control the activity of cortical neurons is, however, poorly understood. The goal of this proposal is to address the mechanism by which feed-forward inhibitory circuits activated by thalamic afferents control the excitability of cortical neurons. We will test the hypothesis that thalamo-cortical feed-forward inhibition reduces the integration time window of cortical neurons, and enforces temporal fidelity of signal transmission between the thalamus and the cortex. This proposal has two aims: Aim 1 addresses the role of thalamo-cortical feed-forward inhibition in controlling the integration time window and spike timing of cortical neurons. Aim 2 addresses the cellular mechanism of thalamo-cortical feed-forward inhibition. The experiments will be performed on acute mouse thalamo-cortical slices using electrophysiological and morphological techniques. This study will provide insight into the functional role of feed-forward inhibition and the mechanisms by which neuronal networks balance excitation with synaptic inhibition. A deeper understanding of the mechanisms that control cortical excitability may contribute to the development of therapies aimed at preventing epileptogenesis in cortical areas.