Cortical Regulation of a Whisking CPG

描述（由申请人提供）：证据表明，大鼠中有节奏的触须运动是由触须运动皮质（wMCx）控制下的皮质下中枢模式发生器（CPG）驱动的。此外，已证明血清素（5 HT）是搅拌所必需的。我的目标是研究成年大鼠脑干中的一个亚群的5-HT神经元，它们可能是搅拌CPG的一个组成部分。我将研究wMCx对这个假定的CPG分量的控制，以及由此产生的CPG调制对搅拌频率的影响。我建议，5 HT CPG决定的须运动单位的放电频率，通过调节5 HT的交付运动神经元在外侧面神经核。我进一步提出，5 HT调节运动单位放电率，促进持续的内向电流在晶须运动神经元（wMNs）的剂量依赖性方式。我将研究5-HT促进触须运动神经元中剂量依赖性PIC的能力及其与触须运动神经元放电频率的关系。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Evidence suggests rhythmic whisker movements in rats are driven by a subcortical central pattern generator (CPG) under control of the whisker motor cortex (wMCx). Additionally, it has been demonstrated that serotonin (5HT) is necessary for whisking. My goal is to investigate a subset of 5HT neurons in the brainstem of adult rats that are likely to comprise an integral part of the whisking CPG. I will investigate the control exerted by the wMCx over this putative CPG component and the impact that the resulting CPG modulation has on whisking frequencies. I propose that the 5HT CPG determines firing frequency of whisker motor units by regulating the delivery of 5HT to motoneurons in the lateral facial nucleus. I further propose that 5HT regulates motor unit firing rates by facilitating a persistent inward current in whisker motoneurons (wMNs) in a dose dependent manner. I will investigate the ability of 5HT to facilitate a dose dependent PIC in whisker motoneurons and its relation to whisker motoneuron firing frequency.