Electrophysiological and pharmacological investigation of hippocampal formation function

我的研究计划的长期目标是帮助理解海马体结构和相关结构(边缘皮质)的功能。我的指导性假设是，这些结构在感觉运动整合中发挥着重要作用。具体地说，我假设边缘皮质神经回路的特定组件的功能是为自愿运动系统提供不断更新的反馈，以了解其相对于不断变化的环境(感觉)条件的表现。这一表现的一个关键方面是启动和维持运动程序的强度。参与感觉运动整合的神经回路的组成部分是那些在边缘皮质产生振荡和同步(Theta)的潜在成分。大脑节律，如theta频段振荡和同步，似乎代表了大型神经网络的基本操作模式，允许选择性地处理与感知和行为状态相关的信息。Theta带振荡和同步是一种正弦波形，幅度可达2 mV，窄带频率范围为3-12赫兹。最终理解边缘皮质theta带振荡和同步性的功能意义将最终有助于我们对阿尔茨海默病和癫痫等海马区病理的理解和治疗。

The long-term objective of my research program is to contribute to the understanding of the functions of the hippocampal formation and related structures (limbic cortex). My guiding hypothesis has been that these structures play a major role in sensorimotor integration. Specifically, I've posited that specific components of the of the neural circuitry in limbic cortex function in the capacity of providing voluntary motor systems with continually updated feedback on their performance relative to changing environmental (sensory) conditions. A crucial aspect of this performance is the intensity with which the motor programs are initiated and maintained. The components of the neural circuitry involved in sensorimotor integration are those underlying the production of oscillation and synchrony (theta) in limbic cortex. Brain rhythms such as theta band oscillation and synchrony appear to represent a basic mode of operation of large neural networks, allowing for the selective processing of information related to perceptual and behavioral states. Theta band oscillation and synchrony is a sinusoidal-like waveform with amplitude up to 2 mV and a narrow band frequency range of 3-12 Hz. The ultimate understanding of the functional significance of theta band oscillation and synchrony in limbic cortex will ultimately contribute to our understanding and treatment of hippocampal pathologies such Alzheimer's disease and epilepsies.