The proposed research addresses three long term goals. Studies will include New World owl monkeys, which offer clear technical advantages, and Old World macaques, which are more closely related to humans. 1) A major goal is to develop a better understanding of the organization of the somatosensory and motor systems in primates. We want to know how these systems are divided into nuclei, areas, and modules, and how these subdivisions are interconnected to form processing networks. Planned studies will combine electrophysiological microelectrode mapping procedures, histochemical architectonic methods, and multiple tracers in connection-tracing protocols in the same monkeys. A major effort will be to determine and compare connections of proposed subdivisions of somatosensory cortex of the lateral sulcus, posterior parietal cortex, and premotor cortex. 2) Related studies of adult plasticity in primates will determine the effects on sensory representations of partial deprivations as a result of cortical lesions, nerve damage, or spinal cord lesions. We will attempt to determine the contribution of neuronal growth and neurotransmitter regulation in plasticity by using molecular markers of neuron restructuring, tracers of axon-arbors and growth, and markers of molecules associated with neuronal activity and plasticity; 3) Other studies will examine the effects of fetal and early postnatal deprivation and damage on subsequent development of the somatosensory system in monkeys in order to understand the potential for developmental plasticity and reorganization in complex sensory systems. The three types of studies will provide a) a detailed and comprehensive model of sensorimotor processing that applies to humans: b) an understanding of the mechanisms of adult plasticity in the somatosensory system that can guide programs of therapy in humans, and c) an understanding of the extent and limits of developmental plasticity that can guide medical treatment and guidance of humans with prenatal defective and early postnatal injury.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01NS016446-18
Application #
2750810
Study Section
Neurological Sciences Subcommittee 1 (NLS)
Program Officer
Heetderks, William J
Project Start
1980-07-01
Project End
2000-07-31
Budget Start
1998-08-01
Budget End
1999-07-31
Support Year
18
Fiscal Year
1998
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Department
Psychology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
004413456
City
Nashville
State
TN
Country
United States
Zip Code
37212
Padberg, Jeffrey; Cooke, Dylan F; Cerkevich, Christina M et al. (2018) Cortical connections of area 2 and posterior parietal area 5 in macaque monkeys. J Comp Neurol :
Liao, Chia-Chi; Reed, Jamie L; Qi, Hui-Xin et al. (2018) Second-order spinal cord pathway contributes to cortical responses after long recoveries from dorsal column injury in squirrel monkeys. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 115:4258-4263
Cerkevich, Christina M; Kaas, Jon H (2018) Corticocortical projections to area 1 in squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus). Eur J Neurosci :
Kaas, Jon H; Stepniewska, Iwona (2016) Evolution of posterior parietal cortex and parietal-frontal networks for specific actions in primates. J Comp Neurol 524:595-608
Qi, Hui-Xin; Wang, Feng; Liao, Chia-Chi et al. (2016) Spatiotemporal trajectories of reactivation of somatosensory cortex by direct and secondary pathways after dorsal column lesions in squirrel monkeys. Neuroimage 142:431-453
Liao, Chia-Chi; Reed, Jamie L; Kaas, Jon H et al. (2016) Intracortical connections are altered after long-standing deprivation of dorsal column inputs in the hand region of area 3b in squirrel monkeys. J Comp Neurol 524:1494-526
Sawyer, Eva K; Turner, Emily C; Kaas, Jon H (2016) Somatosensory brainstem, thalamus, and cortex of the California sea lion (Zalophus californianus). J Comp Neurol 524:1957-75
Qi, Hui-Xin; Reed, Jamie L; Franca, Joao G et al. (2016) Chronic recordings reveal tactile stimuli can suppress spontaneous activity of neurons in somatosensory cortex of awake and anesthetized primates. J Neurophysiol 115:2105-23
Liao, Chia-Chi; Reed, Jamie L; Qi, Hui-Xin (2016) Anatomical changes in the somatosensory system after large sensory loss predict strategies to promote functional recovery after spinal cord injury. Neural Regen Res 11:575-7
Liao, Chia-Chi; Qi, Hui-Xin; Reed, Jamie L et al. (2016) Congenital foot deformation alters the topographic organization in the primate somatosensory system. Brain Struct Funct 221:383-406

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