The overall goal of the proposed experiments is to investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms of synapse formation within the cerebral cortex. The fundamental questions of synaptogenesis are how a growth cone is transformed into a presynaptic terminal and how a postsynaptic specialization forms opposite a presynaptic terminal. This study will focus on the development of the presynaptic side of the synapse, about which very little is known. Because the evolution of an axonal growth cone into a presynaptic terminal is a highly dynamic process, the proposed experiments will make use of a novel, real-time approach to examine simultaneously the morphological and physiological changes that occur as a synapse forms. To do this, time-lapse confocal imaging will be combined with patch-clamp recording from single, identifiable synapses and growth cones of cultured cortical neurons. Changes in membrane dynamics, protein trafficking, and synaptic transmission will be explored. The results of these experiments will not only significantly improve the current understanding of normal brain development, but also have implications for treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders and numerous neurological disorders characterized by synaptic loss.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
1F32NS043926-01
Application #
6487564
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-F03A (20))
Program Officer
Stewart, Randall
Project Start
2002-04-01
Project End
Budget Start
2002-04-01
Budget End
2003-03-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2002
Total Cost
$38,320
Indirect Cost
Name
University of California Davis
Department
Neurosciences
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
094878337
City
Davis
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
95618