Functional microcircuitry underlying sound processing in the primary auditory cor

描述（由申请人提供）：我们研究的长期目标是了解某些神经元亚型在皮层处理声音中的功能作用。了解这种电路可能会对临床上重要的皮质神经病理学的诊断和治疗产生影响，包括自闭症，精神分裂症，耳鸣和癫痫。我们的中心假设是，抑制神经元的某个亚型在决定其他皮层神经元对声音的反应方面起着重要作用。为了实现我们的目标，我们建议监测和干扰这些神经元的活动。在目标1中，我们将在体外研究这个电路，用电刺激代替听觉刺激。在目标2和3中，我们将在体内研究这个回路，呈现简单的声音并监测它们在单个神经元中引起的反应，并观察它们在听觉行为中的作用。如果成功，我们的研究将提供听觉系统中声音处理的分子，电路和功能方面之间的联系，并将促进精神和神经疾病治疗的发展。这项提案将测试一个特定类别的皮层神经元的功能，涉及临床上重要的神经病理学，包括自闭症，精神分裂症，耳鸣和癫痫的病因。如果成功，我们的研究将导致诊断和治疗这些疾病和相关疾病的改进策略。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The long-term goal of our investigations is to understand the functional role of certain neuronal subtypes in the processing of sound in the cortex. Understanding this circuitry is likely to have an impact on the diagnosis and treatment of clinically important cortical neuropathologies, including autism, schizophrenia, tinnitus and epilepsy. Our central hypothesis is that a certain subtype of inhibitory neuron plays an important role in determining how other cortical neurons respond to sound. To achieve our goals, we propose to monitor and perturb the activity of these neurons. In aim 1, we will study this circuit in vitro, substituting electrical for auditory stimulation. In aims 2 and 3 we will study this circuit in vivo, presenting simple sounds and monitoring the responses they elicit in single neurons, and looking at their role in an auditory behavior. If successful, our studies will provide the link between molecular, circuit and functional aspects of sound processing in the auditory system, and will facilitate the development of treatments for psychiatric and neurological diseases. This proposal will test the function of a particular class of cortical neurons implicated in the etiology of clinically important neuropathologies, including autism, schizophrenia, tinnitus and epilepsy. If successful, our studies will lead to improved strategies for diagnosing and treating these and related disorders.