Synaptic processing in the basal ganglia

基底神经节的突触处理

基本信息

批准号：
6617177
负责人：
DAVID J PERKEL
金额：
$ 24.3万
依托单位：
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
依托单位国家：
美国
项目类别：
财政年份：
2003
资助国家：
美国
起止时间：
2003-03-01 至 2008-02-29
项目状态：
已结题

项目摘要

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Vocal learning in songbirds is a unique, experimentally accessible model of human vocal learning that also exemplifies the general process of motor learning using sensory feedback. A male songbird learns his courtship song by first memorizing his father's song, and later using auditory feedback to match his own song to his memory of his father's song. One major advantage to this model system is the existence of separate forebrain circuits involved in producing the song and in learning it. The so-called "anterior forebrain pathway", which is essential for vocal learning, has recently been found to bear gross similarities to the mammalian basal ganglia pathway, which is known to be involved in motor control and motor learning. Specifically, the general circuit connectivity, neurotransmitters used, and neuron classes present, are consistent with the hypothesis that the same basic circuitry underlies information processing in avian and mammalian basal ganglia. The experiments proposed here will use electrophysiological and morphological approaches to test whether key microcircuitry of the anterior forebrain pathway supports this view. In addition, the experiments will test whether neuromodulatory actions of dopamine in the anterior forebrain pathway are similar to those in mammals. These experiments will provide necessary information about how the avian anterior forebrain pathway works. If the hypotheses are supported, two major benefits will ensue. First, work on the avian song system will accelerate because it can be guided by the wealth of information already available for mammals. Moreover, the song system, with its advantages of a well-studied, naturally-learned behavior, will be validated as a more directly applicable model system of mammalian basal ganglia function than heretofore realized. Such complementary approaches to understanding the basal ganglia are valuable because approaches to disorders of the basal ganglia such as Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases will likely require fundamental understanding of information processing in the basal ganglia.

描述（由申请人提供）：鸣禽的声音学习是一种独特的、可通过实验获得的人类声音学习模型，它也例证了使用感觉反馈进行运动学习的一般过程。雄性鸣禽通过首先记住父亲的歌曲来学习求爱歌曲，然后利用听觉反馈将自己的歌曲与记忆中的父亲歌曲相匹配。该模型系统的一个主要优点是存在独立的前脑回路来参与歌曲的制作和学习。所谓的“前脑通路”对于声音学习至关重要，最近发现它与哺乳动物基底神经节通路非常相似，已知后者参与运动控制和运动学习。具体来说，一般电路连接、使用的神经递质和存在的神经元类别与鸟类和哺乳动物基底神经节的信息处理基础相同的基本电路的假设是一致的。这里提出的实验将使用电生理学和形态学方法来测试前脑通路的关键微电路是否支持这一观点。此外，实验还将测试多巴胺在前脑通路中的神经调节作用是否与哺乳动物相似。这些实验将提供有关鸟类前脑通路如何工作的必要信息。如果假设得到支持，将会带来两大好处。首先，鸟类鸣叫系统的研究将会加速，因为它可以由哺乳动物已有的丰富信息来指导。此外，歌曲系统凭借其经过充分研究、自然学习的行为的优点，将被验证为比迄今为止实现的更直接适用的哺乳动物基底神经节功能模型系统。这种理解基底神经节的补充方法很有价值，因为治疗帕金森病和亨廷顿病等基底神经节疾病的方法可能需要对基底神经节的信息处理有基本的了解。