Neurons of the mammalian brain, including the human brain, receive inputs from many different classes of other neurons. The integrative response to these various inputs determines the time course of action potential firing in the cell, its internal biochemical state, and the induction of plasticity. Thus integration of signals from multiple neurons determines both information transfer between cells and the long-term plasticity of circuits. Nevertheless, how signals arriving at multiple classes of synapses interact to determine neural responses is unclear. We propose to address this question using optical approaches to manipulate synaptic activity while reading out biochemical and electrical signals in the recipient cell. These results will inform the basic mechanisms of information processing in the brain. In addition, since specific classes of synapses are perturbed in human disease or are targeted for treatment of disease, these studies will allow us to understand the integrative mechanism of disease and its therapy.

Public Health Relevance

Brain cells communicate via the release of neurotransmitters such as glutamate, GABA and dopamine that modulate the electrical and biochemical state of each cell. Each neurotransmitter has typically been studied in isolation even though the response of the cell depends on interactions between many signaling molecules. We will use novel tools to understand the process of integration of signals from multiple neurotransmitters and mechanisms by which neural function is controlled.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
2R01NS046579-10
Application #
8639849
Study Section
Neurotransporters, Receptors, and Calcium Signaling Study Section (NTRC)
Program Officer
Stewart, Randall R
Project Start
2003-07-01
Project End
2017-07-31
Budget Start
2013-09-01
Budget End
2014-07-31
Support Year
10
Fiscal Year
2013
Total Cost
$454,304
Indirect Cost
$185,263
Name
Harvard University
Department
Biology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
047006379
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02115
Hrvatin, Sinisa; Hochbaum, Daniel R; Nagy, M Aurel et al. (2018) Single-cell analysis of experience-dependent transcriptomic states in the mouse visual cortex. Nat Neurosci 21:120-129
Wallace, Michael L; Saunders, Arpiar; Huang, Kee Wui et al. (2017) Genetically Distinct Parallel Pathways in the Entopeduncular Nucleus for Limbic and Sensorimotor Output of the Basal Ganglia. Neuron 94:138-152.e5
Granger, Adam J; Wallace, Michael L; Sabatini, Bernardo L (2017) Multi-transmitter neurons in the mammalian central nervous system. Curr Opin Neurobiol 45:85-91
Chen, Yao; Granger, Adam J; Tran, Trinh et al. (2017) Endogenous G?q-Coupled Neuromodulator Receptors Activate Protein Kinase A. Neuron 96:1070-1083.e5
Saunders, Arpiar; Huang, Kee Wui; Sabatini, Bernardo Luis (2016) Globus Pallidus Externus Neurons Expressing parvalbumin Interconnect the Subthalamic Nucleus and Striatal Interneurons. PLoS One 11:e0149798
Chen, Yao; Saulnier, Jessica L; Yellen, Gary et al. (2016) Corrigendum: A PKA activity sensor for quantitative analysis of endogenous GPCR signaling via 2-photon FRET-FLIM imaging. Front Pharmacol 7:46
Gross, Garrett G; Straub, Christoph; Perez-Sanchez, Jimena et al. (2016) An E3-ligase-based method for ablating inhibitory synapses. Nat Methods 13:673-8
Straub, Christoph; Saulnier, Jessica Lizette; Bègue, Aurelien et al. (2016) Principles of Synaptic Organization of GABAergic Interneurons in the Striatum. Neuron 92:84-92
Peixoto, Rui T; Wang, Wengang; Croney, Donyell M et al. (2016) Early hyperactivity and precocious maturation of corticostriatal circuits in Shank3B(-/-) mice. Nat Neurosci 19:716-724
Granger, Adam J; Mulder, Nicole; Saunders, Arpiar et al. (2016) Cotransmission of acetylcholine and GABA. Neuropharmacology 100:40-6

Showing the most recent 10 out of 54 publications