Visual activity patterns in the developing brain shape the formation of circuits which process that activity. While this is well known, the mechanisms by which this activity exerts these effects remains a critical problem in the field of visual system development. One possibility is that electrical activity in neurons triggers the synthesis of new genes and their protein products. These activity-dependent proteins could then modify the growth of neurons and the formation of synaptic connections. In this proposal, a series of experiments are proposed to test the hypothesis that activity can modify the structure of neurons in the visual system of the albino frog Xenopus laevis. This experimental system permits the in vivo observation of the growth of single neurons in the intact brain of the anesthetized animal. By combining this approach with virus-mediated heterologous expression, and electrophysiological recordings, it will be possible to test whether the expression of two recently identified activity-regulated genes have an impact on tectal development. Preliminary data indicate that these proteins will indeed produce robust changes.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Eye Institute (NEI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01EY012102-03
Application #
6164712
Study Section
Visual Sciences C Study Section (VISC)
Program Officer
Oberdorfer, Michael
Project Start
1998-03-01
Project End
2001-03-31
Budget Start
2000-03-01
Budget End
2001-03-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2000
Total Cost
$284,918
Indirect Cost
Name
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Department
Type
DUNS #
065968786
City
Cold Spring Harbor
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
11724
Foa, Lisa; Jensen, Kendall; Rajan, Indrani et al. (2005) Homer expression in the Xenopus tadpole nervous system. J Comp Neurol 487:42-53