Scaffolding of brain operations: the role of beta oscillations in forming flexible neural ensembles

大脑运作的脚手架：β振荡在形成灵活的神经系统中的作用

• 批准号: 10033887
• 负责人: Saskia Haegens
• 金额: $ 49.09万
• 依托单位: NEW YORK STATE PSYCHIATRIC INSTITUTE DBA RESEARCH FOUNDATION FOR MENTAL HYGIENE, INC
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 财政年份: 2020
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2020-09-01 至 2025-06-30
• 项目状态: 未结题
• 来源: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10033887
• 关键词: Address; Animals; Apical; Architecture; Area; Auditory; Behavior; Behavioral; Beta Rhythm; Biological Markers; Brain; Cells; Cognition; Cognitive deficits; Communication; Decision Making; Dendrites; Destinations; Distal; Electroencephalography; Electrophysiology (science); Environment; Event; Feedback; Frequencies; Future; Generations; Goals; Impaired cognition; Impairment; Investigation; Link; Location; Maintenance; Mediating; Methods; Microscopic; Modality; Modeling; Mus; Opsin; Outcome; Paper; Parietal; Parkinson Disease; Patients; Pattern; Perception; Performance; Physiology; Play; Population; Prefrontal Cortex; Process; Pyramidal Cells; Research; Research Project Grants; Rodent; Role; Route; Sampling; Schizophrenia; Sensory; Short-Term Memory; Signal Transduction; Site; Stimulus; Tactile; Task Performances; Techniques; Testing; Thalamic structure; Visual; Work; awake; base; biomarker identification; cell assembly; design; flexibility; human subject; information processing; insight; neuronal circuitry; neuroregulation; novel; operation; optogenetics; programs; relating to nervous system; scaffold; source localization

PROJECT SUMMARY The brain constantly makes decisions based on perceptual input as well as internal signals, quickly weighing and processing information, leading to goal-directed behavior. One key aspect crucial to all these processes is communication: the transfer of information from one brain network to the next. However, we are only beginning to understand how the brain accomplishes this. Here we propose to study exactly this question. The overarching goal of this project is to elucidate how the brain sets up the functional neural architecture involved in working memory and decision- making. We argue that brain oscillations in the beta frequency band (15–30 Hz) play a critical role in forming flexible neural ensembles. We propose a novel theoretical framework, delineating how the beta rhythm flexibly sets up transient networks, linking neuronal circuits that are relevant to current task demands, especially in terms of endogenous information processing (e.g., working memory, decision-making). In this view, beta provides the scaffolding for information transfer, routing information through the brain by temporarily connecting relevant nodes such that exchange of information can take place. We propose that the beta rhythm briefly activates a neural ensemble, allowing it to broadcast its message—encoded in (population) spike activity—such that it can be efficiently and effectively received. To test this framework, we here aim to: 1) examine the role of beta oscillations in dynamic neural ensemble formation and its relation to behavioral performance, 2) identify the underlying circuit-level physiology of beta-mediated ensemble formation, and 3) establish the generality of beta-mediated ensemble formation and identify non- invasive biomarkers. We will use a combination of EEG recordings in healthy human subjects, and intracranial electrophysiology and optogenetic neuromodulation in awake-behaving rodents. Both human subjects and animals will perform a spatial working-memory paradigm, critically allowing vertical integration across recording levels. Human subjects will additionally perform working-memory tasks in different sensory modalities and at higher levels of abstraction to guarantee generalizability of results, and to allow for identification of biomarkers to be used in future patient studies. This approach is designed to answer core mechanistic questions: how are local ensembles formed and how are these modulated? Critically, we will determine the effect of these mechanisms on behavior. The project will provide fundamental insights that will set the stage for further detailed investigations in healthy human subjects and patients with impaired beta functioning and cognitive impairment, such as in Parkinson’s disease and schizophrenia.

项目摘要 大脑不断做出决策，包括发言和躯体信号， 快速加权和处理信息，导致目标指导的一个关键方面 对所有过程至关重要的是通信：信息从一个大脑网络传输 但是，下一个。 我们建议确切研究这个问题的总体目标。 大脑建立了与工作记忆和决策有关的功能性神经结构 - 制作。 在形成灵活的神经合奏时，我们提出了一个新颖的理论框架 Beta节奏灵活性设置了转移网络，连接了与之相关的神经元电路。 当前的任务需求，尤其是在内生信息处理方面（例如，工作 记忆，决策）。 通过暂时连接相关节点来将大脑进行路由信息 信息交换可以进行。 合奏，允许其广播其信息 - 编码在（人口）尖峰活动中 - 可以有效地收到这一框架，我们的目标是：1）检查 β振荡在动态神经合奏形成中的作用，与行为关系 性能，2）确定β介导的集合的基础电路级生理 形成，3）建立β介导的合奏形成的一般性，并确定非 - 侵入性生物标志物。 在清醒啮齿动物中，颅内电生理学和光遗传学神经调节。 人类受试者和动物都会执行空间工作记忆范式，批判性地 允许跨记录级别的垂直整合。 不同感官方式和高级抽象的工作记忆任务也 确保结果的普遍性 未来的患者研究旨在回答核心机理问题： 局部合奏形成，如何模块化，批判性地确定 这些关于行为的机制将提供基本的见解 在健康的人类受试者和Beta受损患者中进行进一步详细研究的阶段 功能和认知障碍，例如帕金森氏病和精神分裂症。