Locus coeruleus functional modulation of the hippocampal complex: Behavior and physiology

海马复合体的蓝斑功能调节：行为和生理学

• 批准号: 418300-2012
• 负责人: Martin, Gerard
• 金额: $ 2.91万
• 依托单位: Memorial University of Newfoundland
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Group
• 财政年份: 2015
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2015-01-01 至 2016-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=573577
• 关键词: Locus; coeruleus; functional; modulation; hippocampal

Using animal research, scientists have been able to reveal how hippocampal neurons produce a representation of space, i.e., spatial maps. Our hypothesis is that spatial maps enable us to separate memories and behave appropriately in different locations. Obviously, we need spatial memories to call up the behaviors required for tasks at home, at work and in many other contexts. Our ability to behave flexibly depends on connecting behaviors with locations. Navigational information helps us to identify places. Also, we may believe a place is different if we see a different shape to the walls, or hear new sounds, or smell new smells. A small group of cells in the brain, the locus coeruleus, is known to signal changes or novelty, sending a novelty signal to the hippocampus and other parts of the brain. These novelty signals may cause hippocampal maps to change, and thus permit new, and even contradictory, behaviors to occur in similar spaces. A recently developed method allows the direct visualization of hippocampal spatial maps at two different times. We predict that the more different two spatial maps are, the easier it will be for animals to change their behavior in two similar environments. An artificial novelty signal will be introduced to see if it makes maps different and whether it makes memories of altered spaces stronger. These studies will illuminate how representations of location are formed and whether they play a role in supporting adaptive behavior by separating memories. Our research has implications for understanding the operation of two brain areas, the hippocampus and the locus coeruleus that are the first to deteriorate in Alzheimer's disease. This could help us understand how to support and enhance memory and adaptive behavior, generally.

使用动物研究，科学家能够揭示海马神经元如何产生空间的代表，即空间图。我们的假设是，空间地图使我们能够分离记忆并在不同位置表现适当。 显然，我们需要空间记忆来调查在家中，工作和许多其他情况下任务所需的行为。我们的行为能力灵活地取决于将行为与位置联系起来。导航信息可以帮助我们识别位置。另外，我们可能会认为，如果我们看到与墙壁不同的形状，或者听到新声音或闻到新的气味，那么一个地方会有所不同。众所周知，大脑中的一小部分细胞是核心位点，它会发出变化或新颖性，向海马和大脑的其他部位发送新颖的信号。这些新颖的信号可能会导致海马图改变，从而使新的甚至矛盾的行为发生在类似的空间中。 最近开发的方法允许在两个不同时间直接可视化海马空间图。我们预测，两个空间图越多，动物在两个类似环境中改变行为就越容易。将引入人工新颖性信号，以查看它是否使地图不同，以及是否使变化更强的空间的记忆更强。 这些研究将阐明如何形成位置的表示以及它们是否通过分离记忆来支持适应行为。我们的研究对理解两个大脑区域的运行有影响，即海马和层院，这是第一个在阿尔茨海默氏病中恶化的人。这可以帮助我们了解如何支持和增强记忆和适应性行为。