Sensori-Motor Cerebellar Pathways in Birds

本提案概述了一个广泛的研究计划，旨在了解潜在的感觉，知觉，运动和认知过程的神经通路。这项研究在本质上是比较的，以鸟类为模型，涉及多种技术，包括神经元记录、神经解剖学、神经化学和行为测试。总的来说，有四个主要目标。第一个目标是确定处理视觉信息的大脑小脑通路的神经解剖学组织，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是如何在运动过程中与躲避障碍物有关的小脑部分组织起来的。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，并确定用于这些通路中神经元之间交流的神经递质。第三个目标是确定根据传入的感觉和运动信息做出决定的大脑端脑区如何与小脑区相互作用，小脑区参与使用感觉信息来控制正在进行的运动。因此，我们正着眼于一个更全面的观点，即大脑对感觉运动活动的控制。最后，第四个目标是了解大脑-行为关系的进化。我们将确定大脑的结构和化学成分是如何随着视觉和听觉等感觉能力的变化以及复杂运动技能的变化而进化的。这项拟议中的研究很重要，因为它将揭示大脑中允许我们使用视觉和其他感官来控制姿势和运动的途径，这些行为对我们的生存至关重要。此外，通过研究大脑进化，我们可以了解物种是如何适应环境变化的。我们从这项研究中学到的一般原理将大大增加我们对感觉-运动处理、大脑-行为关系、人类大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.