This application proposes, in part, to investigate how rhythmic motor patterns such as walking maintain proper timing relationships as overall cycle period changes, and whether individual synaptic connections can be shown to play specific roles in generating neural network activity. More complete understanding of these issues would advance our ability to treat motor pathologies and to design robotic devices to give these patients greater mobility and independence. It also proposes to investigate how rhythmic networks interact and how rhythmic input entrains endogenous oscillator networks. This work falls under the general rubric of neural oscillator function, and has significance to rhythmic motor pattern production, rhythmic sensory pattern interpretation, and the multiple oscillatory activities present in the central nervous system. Rhythmic behaviors such as locomotion, chewing, swallowing, and copulation are essential for individual and species survival. Breathing, heartbeat, and rhythmic gut peristalsis continue throughout an animal's existence. Many animal communications have a rhythmic nature (most highly developed in music), and small changes in cycle period or internal phasing can prevent call recognition. Multiple simultaneous rhythms are present in brain activity, and these rhythms change as a function of arousal and attention. Correct coordination and interaction among these multiple rhythms is essential for functional behavior. For instance, respiratory and Iocomotory rhythms are often coordinated. In locomotion the neural networks that produce the each limb's activity must be properly coordinated to generate a functional behavior, as must often be upper limb movements in bipeds. Changing from tonic to burst firing alters information transfer from thalamus to cortex, changes in bursting activity in the subthalamic nucleus-external globus pallidus network are associated with Parkinson's disease, and incorrect synchronization of central rhythmicity underlies epilepsy. The research will be performed in a well known model system, the pyloric neuromuscular system, with a proven track record of discovering neurobiological principles of wide applicability, including to humans. ? ?

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
2R01MH057832-06
Application #
6683546
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-IFCN-5 (01))
Program Officer
Glanzman, Dennis L
Project Start
1998-03-10
Project End
2008-06-30
Budget Start
2003-07-01
Budget End
2004-06-30
Support Year
6
Fiscal Year
2003
Total Cost
$199,449
Indirect Cost
Name
Ohio University Athens
Department
Biology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
041077983
City
Athens
State
OH
Country
United States
Zip Code
45701
Thuma, Jeffrey B; White, William E; Hobbs, Kevin H et al. (2009) Pyloric neuron morphology in the stomatogastric ganglion of the lobster, Panulirus interruptus. Brain Behav Evol 73:26-42
Hooper, Scott L; Buchman, Einat; Weaver, Adam L et al. (2009) Slow conductances could underlie intrinsic phase-maintaining properties of isolated lobster (Panulirus interruptus) pyloric neurons. J Neurosci 29:1834-45
Hobbs, Kevin H; Hooper, Scott L (2009) High-resolution computed tomography of lobster (Panulirus interruptus) stomach. J Morphol 270:1029-41
Hooper, Scott L; Hobbs, Kevin H; Thuma, Jeffrey B (2008) Invertebrate muscles: thin and thick filament structure;molecular basis of contraction and its regulation, catch and asynchronous muscle. Prog Neurobiol 86:72-127
Hobbs, Kevin H; Hooper, Scott L (2008) Using complicated, wide dynamic range driving to develop models of single neurons in single recording sessions. J Neurophysiol 99:1871-83
Weaver, Adam L; Hooper, Scott L (2003) Relating network synaptic connectivity and network activity in the lobster (Panulirus interruptus) pyloric network. J Neurophysiol 90:2378-86
Weaver, Adam L; Hooper, Scott L (2003) Follower neurons in lobster (Panulirus interruptus) pyloric network regulate pacemaker period in complementary ways. J Neurophysiol 89:1327-38
Hoover, Neil J; Weaver, Adam L; Harness, Patricia I et al. (2002) Combinatorial and cross-fiber averaging transform muscle electrical responses with a large stochastic component into deterministic contractions. J Neurosci 22:1895-904