Excitatory Network Oscillations in Somatosensory and Motor Areas of Neocortex

描述（由申请人提供）：新皮质被细分为解剖学和功能专业化的区域。但人们对不同新皮质区域间神经活动的专门化知之甚少。在特定的正常和异常行为状态下，新皮层的神经活动往往呈现同步和振荡状态。我们最近的研究表明，运动皮层包含一个独特的兴奋网络，在各种情况下，在α频率7-14 Hz范围内产生同步振荡活动（~10 Hz振荡）。此外，该网络在相邻的体感皮层中进一步受到抑制，除非特定的向外电流被阻断，否则不会产生这些振荡。本研究的目的是揭示负责新皮层α共振的底物，并表征其在行为中的功能作用。有三个具体目的：1)表征K+通道阻滞剂在体感觉皮层中揭示的~ 10hz振荡；2)确定运动和体感觉皮层产生~ 10hz振荡的机制；3)表征行为动物的运动和体感觉皮层的节律性活动。我们将采用多种方法，使用体外切片和在体内行为的动物。所提出的实验将揭示运动和体感皮层的突触、细胞和网络组织的许多方面。这一信息将有助于理解产生震颤、皮质肌阵挛和杰克逊型癫痫的异常神经活动背后的神经基质。这些研究的目的是破译震颤、肌阵挛和杰克逊型癫痫发作的神经基质，这些都是许多神经系统疾病的常见症状。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The neocortex is subdivided into areas of anatomical and functional specialization. But little is known about the specialization of neural activities among different neocortical areas. Neural activity in neocortex often becomes synchronous and oscillatory in relation to specific normal and abnormal behavioral states. Our recent work has revealed that the motor cortex contains a unique excitatory network that during a variety of conditions generates synchronous oscillatory activity in the alpha frequency 7-14 Hz range (~10 Hz oscillations). Moreover, this network is further suppressed in the adjacent somatosensory cortex, which does not generate these oscillations unless specific outward currents are blocked. The goal of this research project is to reveal the substrate responsible for the alpha resonance of neocortex, and to characterize its functional role during behavior. There are three specific aims: 1) To characterize ~10 Hz oscillations unmasked in somatosensory cortex by K+ channel blockers; 2) To determine the mechanisms that are unmasked to generate ~10 Hz oscillations in motor and somatosensory cortex; 3) To characterize rhythmic activity in motor and somatosensory cortex in behaving animals. We will employ a variety of methods using slices in vitro and behaving animals in vivo. The proposed experiments will reveal many aspects of the synaptic, cellular and network organization of the motor and somatosensory cortices. This information will be relevant to understanding the neural substrate underlying abnormal neural activities that produce tremor, cortical myoclonus and Jacksonian- type seizures. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVACE These studies are directed at deciphering the neural substrate responsible for tremor, myoclonus and Jacksonian-type seizures, which are common symptoms of many neurological disorders.