This application will develop new genetic tools and advance current procedures for precise and rapid mapping of behavior specific memory engrams. The proposed studies also will provide unique insight into the role of cholinergic signaling in the integrated networks that underlie anxiety behaviors. Modulatory transmitters that fine tune circuit activity are essential, albeit somewhat cryptic, components of neural coding. Perhaps the least understood- and yet most broadly distributed- neuromodulator in the CNS is acetylcholine (ACh). We propose to advance two aspects of genetic activity-mapping to track the extent to which cholinergic signaling is engaged by recall of anxiety-provoking experience in the mouse. Basal forebrain cholinergic neurons that display suprathreshold activation during recall of anxiety-induced behaviors are defined as enrolled in the memory engram (Eng+). Eng+ neurons will be mapped by genetically tagging activated cholinergic neurons and their projections from the basal forebrain to cingulate and prefrontal cortices as well as to hippocampal and amygdala regions that are implicated in anxiety related behavior.

Public Health Relevance

This application will develop new genetic tools and advance current procedures for precise and rapid mapping of behavior specific memory engrams. The proposed studies also will provide unique insight into the role of cholinergic signaling in the integrated networks that underlie anxiety behaviors.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Research Project--Cooperative Agreements (U01)
Project #
5U01MH109104-03
Application #
9302857
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZMH1)
Program Officer
Freund, Michelle
Project Start
2015-09-16
Project End
2018-06-30
Budget Start
2017-07-01
Budget End
2018-06-30
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2017
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
State University New York Stony Brook
Department
Other Basic Sciences
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
804878247
City
Stony Brook
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
11794
Boorboor, Saeed; Jadhav; Ananth, Mala et al. (2018) Visualization of Neuronal Structures in Wide-Field Microscopy Brain Images. IEEE Trans Vis Comput Graph :
Jing, Miao; Zhang, Peng; Wang, Guangfu et al. (2018) A genetically encoded fluorescent acetylcholine indicator for in vitro and in vivo studies. Nat Biotechnol 36:726-737
Ballinger, Elizabeth C; Ananth, Mala; Talmage, David A et al. (2016) Basal Forebrain Cholinergic Circuits and Signaling in Cognition and Cognitive Decline. Neuron 91:1199-1218