Understanding the structure of cortical synaptic circuits is key to comprehending information representation and processing in the auditory cortex. However, due to technical limitations, the general structure of cortical synaptic circuits, and how this structure determines cortical function, remains largely unknown. As a first step to addressing this issue, in this project, we will investigate the patterns of excitatory and inhibitory synaptic inputs underlying the functional responses of individual cortical neurons and reveal the synaptic mechanisms determining or shaping these response properties. In the auditory cortex, patterns of synaptic inputs can be largely reflected by their frequency-intensity tonal receptive fields (TRFs). These patterns represent basic structural properties of synaptic input circuitry underlying the functioning of individual cortical neurons. Using an in vivo whole-cell recording technique, we will determine the """"""""spectrotemporal"""""""" pattern of synaptic inputs for both excitatory and inhibitory neurons in the input layers of the adult rat auditory cortex. We will dissect the thalamocortical components of excitatory inputs by pharmacologically silencing the cortex. The cell type of recorded neurons will be determined by their spiking and morphological properties. We will determine excitatory and inhibitory synaptic mechanisms for the frequency/ intensity tuning of cortical pyramidal neurons by revealing the patterns of excitatory and inhibitory synaptic inputs with in vivo whole-cell voltage-clamp recording techniques. We will explicate the contribution of thalamocortical excitaotry inputs to the response properties of cortical neurons by developing a novel pharmacological approach to effectively and specifically silence the cortex. Finally, by distinguishing cortical inhibitory neurons according to histology and physiology, we will determine response properties of cortical GABAergic interneurons, and their underlying synaptic mechanisms.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01DC008983-03
Application #
7660348
Study Section
Auditory System Study Section (AUD)
Program Officer
Platt, Christopher
Project Start
2007-08-01
Project End
2013-12-31
Budget Start
2009-08-01
Budget End
2010-07-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2009
Total Cost
$321,762
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Southern California
Department
Physiology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
072933393
City
Los Angeles
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
90089
Li, Ya-Tang; Fang, Qi; Zhang, Li I et al. (2018) Spatial Asymmetry and Short-Term Suppression Underlie Direction Selectivity of Synaptic Excitation in the Mouse Visual Cortex. Cereb Cortex 28:2059-2070
Zingg, Brian; Dong, Hong-Wei; Tao, Huizhong Whit et al. (2018) Input-output organization of the mouse claustrum. J Comp Neurol 526:2428-2443
Zhang, Guang-Wei; Sun, Wen-Jian; Zingg, Brian et al. (2018) A Non-canonical Reticular-Limbic Central Auditory Pathway via Medial Septum Contributes to Fear Conditioning. Neuron 97:406-417.e4
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Jing, Miao; Zhang, Peng; Wang, Guangfu et al. (2018) A genetically encoded fluorescent acetylcholine indicator for in vitro and in vivo studies. Nat Biotechnol 36:726-737
Chou, Xiao-Lin; Wang, Xiyue; Zhang, Zheng-Gang et al. (2018) Inhibitory gain modulation of defense behaviors by zona incerta. Nat Commun 9:1151
Zingg, Brian; Chou, Xiao-Lin; Zhang, Zheng-Gang et al. (2017) AAV-Mediated Anterograde Transsynaptic Tagging: Mapping Corticocollicular Input-Defined Neural Pathways for Defense Behaviors. Neuron 93:33-47
Tao, Can; Zhang, Guangwei; Zhou, Chang et al. (2017) Diversity in Excitation-Inhibition Mismatch Underlies Local Functional Heterogeneity in the Rat Auditory Cortex. Cell Rep 19:521-531
Ibrahim, Leena A; Mesik, Lukas; Ji, Xu-Ying et al. (2016) Cross-Modality Sharpening of Visual Cortical Processing through Layer-1-Mediated Inhibition and Disinhibition. Neuron 89:1031-45
Kim, Young J; Ibrahim, Leena A; Wang, Sheng-Zhi et al. (2016) EphA7 regulates spiral ganglion innervation of cochlear hair cells. Dev Neurobiol 76:452-69

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