CRCNS: Circuit dynamics in zebrafish larvae: mechanisms, modulation, and mathematical modeling of network topology and attractor dynamics

CRCNS美国-法国研究计划：斑马鱼幼体神经元回路动力学：机制、调节和 网络拓扑和吸引子动力学的数学建模。 吸引子神经元电路是时间动力学收敛并稳定的递归连接网络 模式。理论吸引子模型被用来解释各种认知功能和运动行为。 尽管它们对大脑计算很重要，但对这些神经元的生理特性的详细描述 电路仍然缺失；吸引子类动力学出现的基础机制仍然难以捉摸。 Sumbre实验室最近表明，斑马鱼幼体的视顶盖是按照以下方式组织的 神经元组件(高度相关的神经元组)。这些组合展现出要么全有要么全无的协同效应 促进和竞争性互惠抑制产生单一的“赢家”。两者都是吸引子动力学的特征。 在这个项目中，PI将结合Sumbre实验室的实验专业知识来监测和分析神经元 斑马鱼幼虫的电路动力学，以及Curto实验室的数学技能，应用于理论 吸引子动力学研究。更具体地说，Sumbre实验室将使用光片显微镜和光遗传学 (jGCaMP7f和reaChR)，以监测和操纵脑内神经元吸引子回路的群体活动 斑马鱼幼体。这种方法将允许详细描述神经元吸引子的生理特性。 电路(例如，细胞类型描述、所有单个神经元的功能属性等)，并研究 通过感觉经验和大脑内部状态的吸引器动力学。 Curto实验室将使用拓扑数据分析(TDA)方法对获取的数据集进行分析 高阶相关性和神经元吸引子电路内功能连接的结构。此外, 数学建模将揭示电路吸引子动力学和 对这些动态的调制。从这些理论方法中学到的原理将在实验中得到检验。 在Sumbre实验室，使用光遗传学。这一多学科和互补性的项目将为 神经元吸引器回路产生的原理及其在大脑中的功能作用 计算。

CRCNS US-French Research Proposal: Neuronal circuit dynamics in zebrafish larvae: mechanisms, modulation, and mathematical modeling of network topology and attractor dynamics. Attractor neuronal circuits are recurrently connected networks whose temporal dynamics converge and settle to stable patterns. Theoretical attractor models have been used to explain a variety of cognitive functions and motor behaviour. Despite their importance for brain computations, a detailed description of physiological properties of these neuronal circuits is still missing; and the mechanisms underlying the emergence of attractor-like dynamics remain elusive. The Sumbre lab has recently shown that the optic tectum of the zebrafish larva is functionally organized according to neuronal assemblies (groups of highly correlated neurons). These assemblies exhibit all-or- none synergistic facilitation and competitive reciprocal inhibition generating single “winners.” Both are features of attractor dynamics. In this project, the PIs will combine the experimental expertise of the Sumbre lab to monitor and analyze neuronal circuit dynamics in the zebrafish larva, and the mathematical skills of the Curto lab, applied to the theoretical investigation of attractor dynamics. More specifically, the Sumbre lab will use light-sheet microscopy and optogenetics (jGCaMP7f and reaChR) to monitor and manipulate the population activity of neuronal attractor circuits in the zebrafish larva. This approach will allow the detailed description of the physiological properties of neuronal attractor circuits (e.g. cell-type description, functional properties of all single neurons, etc.), and to investigate the modulation of the attractor dynamics by sensory experience and the internal state of the brain. The Curto lab will use topological data analysis (TDA) methods for the analysis of the acquired datasets to investigate higher-order correlations and the structure of functional connectivity within neuronal attractor circuits. In addition, mathematical modeling will reveal the neuronal mechanisms underlying the circuit’s attractor dynamics and the modulation of these dynamics. Principles learned from these theoretical approaches will then be tested experimentally in the Sumbre lab, using optogenetics. This multidisciplinary and complementary project will bring novel insights on the principles dictating the generation of neuronal attractor circuits and illuminate their functional role in the brain computations.