MECHANISMS OF CENTRAL PATTERN GENERATION IN GANGLIA

该建议旨在从系统层面分析胃磨 龙虾的中央模式发生器（CPG）具有神经元网络的功能 以及它如何整合感官反馈和协调中枢输入， 一种复杂的、可塑的方式。 虽然与健康没有直接关系， 尽管如此，胃CPG仍然是研究 节律性的产生和控制的基本机制 行为。 自1969年以来，这项工作已经建立了龙虾口胃 神经节作为目前最彻底了解的神经回路 available. 该研究计划有三个具体目标： 1. 研究突触时程在海马神经元颞叶运作中的作用， 胃CPG 电生理学和药理学方法将是 用于研究递质和突触后（可能是代谢性的） 最近发现的一类慢突触的潜在机制。 药理学操作将被用来剖析突触的作用， 在这个神经回路中时间处理的时间过程。 3. 目的：研究胃CPG感觉运动加工的可塑性。 在这里，最近的研究确定机械感觉反馈回路将是 延长 已知肽能和毒蕈碱调节剂产生 胃回路的功能重组。 使用 电生理学技术记录和操纵活动 未鉴定的神经元，以及染料敏化的光活化方法， 消融网络的特定成员，该项目将分析 感觉运动处理变化的细胞和突触基础 由神经调质诱导的回路。 3. 研究一对识别指令对胃CPG的作用， 中间神经元，用于协调其节奏操作与 相邻的运动系统。 电流钳和电压钳研究将在 与药理学技术相结合， 参与多突触的递质和膜反应 这些中间神经元的活动。 这些细胞和突触特性将 与协调输入如何改变的系统级分析有关 整个网络的功能。

This proposal is aimed at a systems-level analysis of how the gastric mill central pattern generator (CPG) of lobsters functions as a neuronal network and how it integrates sensory feedback and coordinating central inputs in a complex, plastic manner. While not immediately related to health sciences, the gastric CPG nevertheless is an excellent system for studying basic mechanisms underlying the generation and control of rhythmic behaviors. Since 1969 this work has established the lobster stomatogastric ganglion as the most thoroughly understood neural circuit presently available. The research plan has 3 specific aims: 1. To study the role of synaptic timecourse in the temporal operation of the gastric CPG. Electrophysiological and pharmacological methods will be used to study the transmitters and postsynaptic (possibly metabotropic) mechanisms underlying a recently-discovered class of slow synapses. Pharmacological manipulation will be used to dissect the role of synaptic timecourse in temporal processing within this neural circuit. 3. To examine plasticity of sensorimotor processing in the gastric CPG. Here recent studies of identified mechanosensory feedback loops will be extended. Peptidergic and muscarinic modulators are known to produce a functional reorganization of the gastric circuit. Using electrophysiological techniques to record and manipulate activity unidentified neurons, and a dye-sensitized photinactivation method to ablate specific members of the network, this project will analyze the cellular and synaptic basis of changes in sensorimotor processing within the circuit, induced by neuromodulators. 3. To study the actions on the gastic CPG of a pair of identified, command interneurons that serve to coordinate its rhythmic operation with that of an adjacent motor system. Current-and voltage-clamp studies will be combined with pharmacological techniques to extend the understanding of the transmitters and membrane responses involved in the multiple synaptic actions of these interneurons. These cellular and synaptic properties will be related to a systems-level analysis of how the coordinating inputs alter the function of the whole network.