The hibernator as a model system for neural plasticity

冬眠器作为神经可塑性的模型系统

• 批准号: 6965893
• 负责人: H Craig Heller
• 金额: $ 14.48万
• 依托单位: STANFORD UNIVERSITY
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 财政年份: 2005
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2005-08-01 至 2007-06-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/6965893
• 关键词: biological models; body temperature; brain electrical activity; brain mapping; brain metabolism; brain morphology; controlled environment chamber; developmental neurobiology; fluorescent dye /probe; hibernation; model design /development; neural plasticity; squirrel; telemetry; biological models; body temperature; brain electrical activity; brain mapping; brain metabolism; brain morphology; controlled environment chamber; developmental neurobiology; fluorescent dye /probe; hibernation; model design /development; neural plasticity; squirrel; telemetry

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Plasticity is the ability of neurons to change their structure and function in response to stimuli. Morphological plasticity, such as dendritic arborization, appears to be most prominent in young organisms, correlating with the most intense period of learning and brain development. Hibernating animals may be a dramatic exception to this rule. A few studies suggest that both structural and synaptic plasticity are taking place in the adult hibernator to an extent not revealed by any other system. Confirmation of these phenomena and understanding of basic dynamics of this system could prove the hibernator to be an informative model system for studying questions of plasticity, including mechanisms for its regulation in adult mammals. We intend to develop a hibernator, the golden-mantled ground squirrel, as a model system for studying structural and synaptic plasticity in an adult mammal. Several fundamental questions about this system will be addressed. First, to what degree is hibernation-related plasticity demonstrated throughout the brain, and do regional differences in electrical activity during hibernation influence plasticity? What is the time course for these changes throughout the hibernation bout? And last, is this phenomenon dependent upon brain temperature? This proposal will address all three questions using intracellular Lucifer Yellow injections and synaptic marker immunofluorescence. Studying neural plasticity in adulthood has far-reaching consequences for medicine. The discovery of mechanisms underlying adult neural plasticity has the potential to progress current treatments of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, and acute traumatic and ischemic insults.

描述（由申请人提供）：可塑性是神经元因刺激而改变其结构和功能的能力。形态可塑性（例如树突状树皮化）在年轻的生物体中似乎是最突出的，与最激烈的学习和大脑发育相关。冬眠动物可能是该规则的戏剧性例外。一些研究表明，在成人冬眠者中，结构可塑性和突触可塑性都在任何其他系统中都没有揭示。确认这些现象以及对该系统的基本动力学的理解可以证明冬眠是研究可塑性问题的信息模型系统，包括其在成年哺乳动物中调节的机制。 我们打算开发一个冬眠，即黄金铺面松鼠，作为研究成人哺乳动物中结构和突触可塑性的模型系统。将解决有关该系统的几个基本问​​题。首先，在整个大脑中都表现出与冬眠相关的可塑性在多大程度上，并且在冬眠期间的区域电活动的区域差异会影响可塑性？在整个冬眠回合中，这些更改的时间课程是什么？最后，这种现象取决于大脑温度吗？该建议将使用细胞内路西法黄色注射和突触标记物免疫荧光解决所有三个问题。 在成年中研究神经可塑性对医学有深远的影响。发现成人神经可塑性的机制的发现有可能采取当前治疗神经退行性疾病的治疗方法，例如阿尔茨海默氏症和帕金森氏病，以及急性创伤性和缺血性侮辱。