The auditory system localizes sound in azimuth by computing interaural time delays. In the avian auditorybrainstem, nucleus magnocellularis (NM)is the first central nucleus in this temporal coding pathway. NMcontains highly specialized anatomic, synaptic, and intrinsic properties that play key roles in shapinginhibitory responses and maintaining temporal fidelity in NM. The development of these specializations ispoorly understood.
The first aim i s to describe the time-course of the development of inhibition in chick NMusing in vitro electrophysiological techniques..
The second aim i s to understand the developmentalimportance of afferent excitatory inputs in the development of inhibition using otocyst removal followed byphysiological recordings.
The third aim will examine role of Kv1.1 in developing the normal NM phenotypeusing RNA interference techniques. Plasmids encoding RNAs designed to interfere with the Kcnal, theKv1.1 gene, and an EGFP reporter gene will be electroporated in ovo in early embryos. The physiology oftransfected cells will be examined through development. These manipulations are hypothesized to alter thenormal development of NM anatomy and physiological responses to excitatory and inhibitory inputs.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
Type
Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F31)
Project #
5F31DC008035-03
Application #
7338006
Study Section
Communication Disorders Review Committee (CDRC)
Program Officer
Cyr, Janet
Project Start
2006-01-09
Project End
2008-03-15
Budget Start
2008-01-09
Budget End
2008-03-15
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2008
Total Cost
$7,163
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Washington
Department
Psychology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
605799469
City
Seattle
State
WA
Country
United States
Zip Code
98195