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Synaptic Transmission In The Mammalian Central Nervous System
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$460,500.00
Summary
In order to properly understand the complex functions of the brain and the abnormalities underlying neurological disorders, we must understand how individual neurons communicate with each other. Communication occurs at specialized contacts, or synapses. An individual neuron may receive tens of thousands of synaptic contacts from hundreds or thousands of other neurons. Despite intensive investigation, the processes which regulate synaptic strength between central neurons are poorly understood. Th ....In order to properly understand the complex functions of the brain and the abnormalities underlying neurological disorders, we must understand how individual neurons communicate with each other. Communication occurs at specialized contacts, or synapses. An individual neuron may receive tens of thousands of synaptic contacts from hundreds or thousands of other neurons. Despite intensive investigation, the processes which regulate synaptic strength between central neurons are poorly understood. The overall aim of this proposal is to understand the basic mechanisms underlying synaptic transmission at excitatory and inhibitory synaptic connections in the mammalian brain. We will investigate specific synaptic connections in the central pathways of the auditory system, because our previous studies have demonstrated a number of key technical advantages in studying these synapses. We will use electrophysiological recording from synaptic terminals and neurons in isolated living slices of the brainstem of mice. We will use imaging techniques and electron-microscopy to examine the structural details of synaptic connections, as structure is thought to play a major role in determining the strength of synaptic transmission. We will also study the structural and functional properties of auditory synaptic connections in congenitally deaf animals. Our recent study comparing normal and congenitally deaf mice has already revealed significant differences. Our results will provide important insights in the regulation of synaptic strength in the central nervous system, and into the regulation of synaptic transmission at central synapses which have developed under conditions of abnormal sensory activation.Read moreRead less
Differentiation Of Respiratory Behaviour In The Mammalian Fetus
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$434,839.00
Summary
Mammalian fetuses are highly active from early in gestation, manifesting patterns of activity that are gradually transformed throughout fetal life, ultimately producing a repertoire of behaviours essential for postnatal survival. These behaviours are of fundamental importance to animals, and none more so than breathing which must perform effectively from the moment of birth. We plan to examine neural control mechanisms that transform a primitive pattern of breathing in the early gestation fetus ....Mammalian fetuses are highly active from early in gestation, manifesting patterns of activity that are gradually transformed throughout fetal life, ultimately producing a repertoire of behaviours essential for postnatal survival. These behaviours are of fundamental importance to animals, and none more so than breathing which must perform effectively from the moment of birth. We plan to examine neural control mechanisms that transform a primitive pattern of breathing in the early gestation fetus into the functional form that effectively ventilates the lungs after birth. In addition to examining the prenatal development of breathing, our program will focus on the developmental fate of a transient behaviour restricted to early development. This early behaviour plays a fundamental role in the development of the motor system before being extinguished under the influence of supraspinal inputs. This program will therefore provide a basis for understanding the mechanisms by which the brain establishes control of the motor circuits of the spinal cord during development. Further, the program is designed to provide a basis for understanding the respiratory problems so common in the preterm human infant.Read moreRead less