The long-term objective of this research is to understand how the cerebral cortex acquires and stores information, which can lead to neurobiological interventions in maladaptive thought and behavior, and impaired learning in development and aging. Although the cerebral cortex is by far the largest part of the human brain and is a major structure that subserves learning and memory, it has been neglected because of the need for animal models of cortical memory. However, recent studies have established that the auditory cortex develops memory-like changes in the frequency tuning of individual cells during fear learning, termed """"""""receptive field plasticity"""""""". This neural plasticity is associative, highly specific, rapidly acquired and retained indefinitely, like major forms of human memory. Cortical control of subcortical fear centers is known but not understood.
The specific aims of this project are to determine the nature and extent to which the overall functional organization of the auditory cortex is involved in fear learning and memory. The specific goal of this research project is to provide the first comprehensive investigation of the extent to which learning modifies the spatial representation of behaviorally relevant acoustic frequencies in the primary auditory cortex. Guinea pigs will be trained with pure tones in habituation, sensitization, classical, and instrumental conditioning. Further, the development and long term retention (weeks), and the degree of reversibility of plasticity will be delineated. The neurobiological bases of fear conditioning, which is basic to acquired anxieties, phobias and other behavioral pathologies, requires direct investigation of cellular mechanisms because pharmacological treatments can reduce the elicitation and expression of these emotions but not eliminate their cause.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01MH057235-04
Application #
6186239
Study Section
Cognitive Functional Neuroscience Review Committee (CFN)
Program Officer
Anderson, Kathleen C
Project Start
1997-07-01
Project End
2002-06-30
Budget Start
2000-07-01
Budget End
2001-06-30
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2000
Total Cost
$149,373
Indirect Cost
Name
University of California Irvine
Department
Other Basic Sciences
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
161202122
City
Irvine
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
92697
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Weinberger, Norman M (2003) The nucleus basalis and memory codes: auditory cortical plasticity and the induction of specific, associative behavioral memory. Neurobiol Learn Mem 80:268-84
McLin 3rd, Dewey E; Miasnikov, Alexandre A; Weinberger, Norman M (2002) Induction of behavioral associative memory by stimulation of the nucleus basalis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 99:4002-7
McLin 3rd, Dewey E; Miasnikov, Alexandre A; Weinberger, Norman M (2002) The effects of electrical stimulation of the nucleus basalis on the electroencephalogram, heart rate, and respiration. Behav Neurosci 116:795-806
Galvan, Veronica V; Weinberger, Norman M (2002) Long-term consolidation and retention of learning-induced tuning plasticity in the auditory cortex of the guinea pig. Neurobiol Learn Mem 77:78-108
Galvan, Veronica V; Chen, Jemmy; Weinberger, Norman M (2002) Differential thresholds of local field potentials and unit discharges in rat auditory cortex. Hear Res 167:57-60