小鼠听皮层兴奋性和抑制性神经元投射环路的空间特性

The comprehensive projection loop between interneurons is the basis of the functional nervous system. Since auditory cortex is the senior center of auditory information processing, understanding its internal connection models is significant for exploring the mechanism how voice information is expressed in auditory nerve system. Though previous studies have revealed distribution features of the functional connectivity between auditory cortex neurons, different modes of systematic connection between neurons, especially spatial distribution models between inhibitory and excitability interneurons remain unknown. This study aims to explore the mutual functional connectivity between inhibitory and excitability interneurons from a two-dimensional aspect of both cross-layer and closed-loop using light genetic technology, whole-cell recording technique and transgenic mice models. Hypothetically, this study can help to understand the complex neural projection loop of auditory cortex and provide theoretical basis for revealing how voice is expressed in the cortex.

在神经系统中,神经元之间庞大而复杂的相互投射关系是实现其强大功能的基础。听皮层是听觉信息加工处理的高级中枢，因此了解其内部神经元之间的连接模式对理解声音信息在听觉神经系统中的表达机制有非常重要的意义。尽管现有一些研究显示了听皮层神经元功能性连接有很好的层分布特性，但不同神经元之间系统性的连接模式，特别是不同抑制性神经元对兴奋性神经元、以及兴奋性神经元对不同抑制性神经元功能性连接的空间分布模式，目前还不清楚。为了解决这个问题，本课题拟结合转基因小鼠、光遗传技术和离体脑片全细胞记录技术，从跨层和层内投射两个二维层面上，系统地研究不同抑制性神经元与兴奋性椎体神经元的相互功能性连接模式。可以预见，我们的研究将有助于揭示听觉皮层内复杂的神经投射环路，从而为理解声音信息在皮层内的表达机制提供理论依据。