In vitro electrophysiology equipment for investigating neural dynamics

神经元之间的动态相互作用构成了大脑功能的基础。神经元在不同的大脑区域内部和之间同步，产生在行为过程中变化的有节奏的振荡。例如，大脑皮层的高频“伽马”振荡随着人类认知任务的难度而增加。该提案中描述的设备将使莱斯布里奇大学的NSERC资助的研究人员及其合作者能够评估信息同步和编码的蜂窝和网络机制。特别是，神经调节剂多巴胺和抑制性中间神经元的贡献将在脑切片制备中进行评估。这项工作将补充正在进行的动物行为和计算模型的工作，为研究神经动力学提供细胞到系统的方法。这类研究的结果为我们进一步了解认知功能的细胞基础带来了巨大的希望。此外，该设备将提供独特的培训机会，作为莱斯布里奇大学唯一的体外电生理学设置，并将赋予高素质的人员以学术和工业机构实验室所需的市场技能。

The dynamical interactions of neurons form the basis of brain function. Neurons synchronize within and between different brain regions to produce rhythmic oscillations that vary during behavior. For instance, cortical high frequency 'gamma' oscillations increase with the difficulty of cognitive tasks in humans. The equipment described in this proposal will enable NSERC-funded researchers at the University of Lethbridge and their collaborators the ability to assess the cellular and network mechanisms that underlie synchronization and encoding of information. In particular, the contributions of the neuromodulator dopamine and inhibitory interneurons will be evaluated in brain slice preparations. This work will complement ongoing work in behaving animals and computational models to provide a cell-to-systems approach for investigating neural dynamics. The outcomes of this type of research hold great promise for advancing our knowledge of the cellular basis of cognitive function. Furthermore, this equipment will provide unique training opportunities as the only in vitro electrophysiology setup at the University of Lethbridge, and will endow highly qualified personnel with a marketable skill desired by laboratories in academic and industrial institutions.