The goal of the proposed experiments is to understand the mechanisms and rules which govern modification of synaptic strength in the cerebral cortex throughout life. Five hypotheses are proposed. First, the cortical depression mechanisms are active not passive. To address this question, changes in neuronal activity in vibrissa representation in the barrel cortex caused by uni- vibrissa deprivation (removing all but a single vibrissa) will be studied. Second, cortical depression mechanisms are caused by heterosynaptic interactions. To address the hypothesis, cortical activity will be studied and compared in animals with a single vibrissa deprived and all vibrissae are deprived. Third, cortical potentiation mechanisms are associated not competitive in adults and adolescents. Forth, cortical potentiation mechanisms require CAMKII in adults but not adolescents. Fifth, long term changes in cortical plasticity require protein synthesis via CREB. In these two sets of experiments, the mouse barrel cortical activities of CAMKII and CREB knockout mice will be investigated.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01NS027759-08
Application #
2519931
Study Section
Neurological Sciences Subcommittee 1 (NLS)
Program Officer
Cheung, Mary Ellen
Project Start
1989-08-01
Project End
1999-08-31
Budget Start
1997-09-01
Budget End
1998-08-31
Support Year
8
Fiscal Year
1997
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Cardiff University
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Cardiff
State
Country
United Kingdom
Zip Code