Sensory experience early in life leads to the establishment and refinement of synaptic connections, through cellular mechanisms that are not yet understood. Electron microscopic immunocytochemical (EM-ICC) studies have provided information about the molecular composition of developing cortical synapses. However, it has been difficult to correlate this information with the results of electrophysiological studies. The proposed research uses a novel combination of electrophysiology, tract-tracing and EM-ICC to examine the molecular composition of physiologically/anatomically characterized synapses in somatosensory cortex. In particular, recent evidence suggests that the activity of central nicotinic acetylcholine receptors is important for the early development of excitatory cortical synapses. The presence of these receptors will be assessed in synapses between identified cortical neurons where the maturity of the connection has been determined physiologically. In a related study, the use of anatomical tract tracers in conjunction with EM-ICC will allow comparison of intracortical to thalamocortical connections. The research is expected to extend current knowledge of the mechanisms by which the cholinergic system modulates the formation of excitatory synapses. These mechanisms are likely to underlie the influence of states of sleep, wakefulness, attention and arousal on the processes of learning and memory formation.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
1F32NS045452-01A1
Application #
6690797
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-F02B (20))
Program Officer
Talley, Edmund M
Project Start
2003-09-01
Project End
2006-08-31
Budget Start
2003-09-01
Budget End
2004-08-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2003
Total Cost
$48,148
Indirect Cost
Name
New York University
Department
Neurology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
041968306
City
New York
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10012