The main goal of this project is to understand how sensory interneurons represent sensory information in their ensemble response patterns and to understand the biophysical mechanisms through which interneurons extract and encode stimulus features. I will use a combination of modeling, theoretical, and physiological techniques to address the problem. My strategy will be to establish a mechanistic, explanatory model of the neural system, and verify that this model captures the essential behavior of the system by making predictions of system function and testing these through experiment. The essential elements of the study are identification of the """"""""codebook"""""""" implemented by sensory interneurons, using physiology and an information theory method, identification of the structural traits responsible for this coding using compartmental modeling and optimization theory, and experimental verification of the role of these structural traits through pharmacology and physiology.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
5F32MH068985-02
Application #
6776921
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-F03B (20))
Program Officer
Curvey, Mary F
Project Start
2003-07-01
Project End
2006-06-30
Budget Start
2004-07-01
Budget End
2005-06-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2004
Total Cost
$47,296
Indirect Cost
Name
Montana State University Bozeman
Department
Type
Organized Research Units
DUNS #
625447982
City
Bozeman
State
MT
Country
United States
Zip Code
59717