Sensori-Motor Cerebellar Pathways in Birds

这项提案概述了一个广泛的研究计划，旨在了解感觉、知觉、运动和认知过程背后的神经通路。这项研究是比较性质的，以鸟类为模型，涉及多项技术，包括神经元记录、神经解剖学、神经化学和行为测试。总体而言，有四个主要目标。第一个目标是确定大脑小脑中处理视觉信息的路径的神经解剖学组织，以及这些信息如何与来自内耳和脊髓的其他感觉输入相结合，以控制平衡和姿势。第二个目标是确定视觉信息在小脑中与移动过程中避开障碍物有关的部分是如何组织的。我们将记录这些通路中的神经元，以确定它们如何处理复杂的运动模式，并确定这些通路中神经元之间用于通信的神经递质。第三个目标是确定大脑端脑中根据传入的感觉和运动信息做出决定的区域与小脑中参与使用感觉信息控制正在进行的运动运动的区域如何相互作用。因此，为了这个目标，我们正着眼于大脑对感觉-运动活动的控制的更全面的观点。最后，第四个目标是了解大脑-行为关系的演变。我们将确定大脑的结构和化学成分如何随着视觉和听力等感觉能力的变化以及复杂运动技能的变化而演变。这项拟议的研究很重要，因为它将揭示大脑中的路径，这些路径允许我们使用视觉和其他感官来控制姿势和运动，这些行为对我们的生存至关重要。此外，通过研究大脑进化，我们可以了解物种如何适应环境的变化。我们从这项研究中学到的一般原理将显著增加我们对感觉-运动处理、大脑-行为关系、人脑进化和高级认知过程的理解。

This proposal outlines a broad research program aimed at understanding neural pathways underlying sensory, perceptual, motor and cognitive processes. The research is comparative in nature, using birds as a model, and involves several techniques including neuronal recording, neuroanatomy, neurochemistry, and behavioural testing. Overall, there are four major objectives. The first objective is to determine the neuroanatomical organization of pathways in the cerebellum of the brain that process visual information, and how this information is integrated with other sensory inputs from the inner ears and spinal cord to control balance and posture. The second objective is to determine how visual information is organized in parts of the cerebellum that are concerned with avoiding obstacles during locomotion. We will record from neurons in these pathways to determine how they process complex patterns of motion and determine the neurotransmitters used for communication between neurons in these pathways. The third objective is to determine how areas in the telencephalon of the brain, which make decisions based on incoming sensory and motor information, interact with areas in the cerebellum, which are involved in using sensory information to control the ongoing motor movements. As such, we are looking at a more holistic view of the brain's control of sensori-motor activity with this objective. Finally, the fourth objective is to understand the evolution of brain-behaviour relationships. We will determine how the structure and chemical composition of the brain evolved with changes in sensory abilities such as vision and hearing, as well as changes in complex motor skills. The proposed research is important because it will reveal the pathways in the brain that allow us to use vision and other senses to control posture and locomotion, behaviours that are critical for our survival. Moreover, by examining brain evolution, we can understand how species adapt to changes in the environment. The general principles we learn from this research will significantly increase our understanding of sensori-motor processing, brain-behaviour relationships, the evolution of the human brain, and advanced cognitive processes.