DP1EY033975

Bridging Cellular and Systems Neuroscience: Synaptic Dynamics Underlying Behavior - Summary

A major challenge to our progress in understanding the functional organization of the nervous system is the practical schism between cellular/molecular and systems sub-fields within the broader neuroscience community.

For example, synaptic transmission is the fundamental mechanism by which activity propagates between neurons. While we have a detailed understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying this process, the dynamic range and operating regime of synapses in the intact, behaving animal is essentially unknown.

Based on recent data from our laboratory, our overall goal in this proposal is to investigate the hypothesis that variations in behavior over multiple time scales are associated with fluctuations in the strength of synaptic transmission within neuronal networks of the mammalian neocortex.

With a groundbreaking combination of conceptual and methodological innovations, we will specifically identify the modifications of synaptic function that correspond to changes in behavioral state and perceptual learning. Specifically, we propose to monitor variation in synaptic release probability, potency, and integration for targeted circuits within the mouse visual cortex, relating these properties to behavioral state transitions and enhanced perceptual ability associated with visuomotor learning.

Overall, this ambitious paradigm will generate critical new insights into the relationships between synapses, circuits, and behavior and open up new avenues of exploration that unite diverse areas of the neuroscience community.

Yale Univ

1) TO SUPPORT EYE AND VISION RESEARCH PROJECTS THAT ADDRESS THE LEADING CAUSES OF BLINDNESS AND IMPAIRED VISION IN THE U.S. THESE INCLUDE RETINAL DISEASES, CORNEAL DISEASES, CATARACT, GLAUCOMA AND OPTIC NEUROPATHIES, STRABISMUS, AMBLYOPIA, AND LOW VISION AND BLINDNESS REHABILITATION. 2) TO INCREASE UNDERSTANDING OF THE NORMAL DEVELOPMENT AND FUNCTION OF THE VISUAL SYSTEM IN ORDER TO BETTER PREVENT, DIAGNOSE, AND TREAT SIGHT-THREATENING CONDITIONS, AND, TO ENHANCE THE REHABILITATION, TRAINING, AND QUALITY OF LIFE OF INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE PARTIALLY-SIGHTED OR BLIND. 3) TO SUPPORT A BROAD PROGRAM OF BASIC VISION RESEARCH THROUGH GRANTS AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS, TO ENCOURAGE HIGH QUALITY CLINICAL RESEARCH, INCLUDING CLINICAL TRIALS, OTHER EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDIES, AND HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH, TO ENCOURAGE RESEARCH TRAINING AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT IN THE SCIENCES RELATED TO VISION, AND TO SPONSOR SCIENTIFIC WORKSHOPS IN HIGH PRIORITY RESEARCH AREAS TO ENCOURAGE EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION AMONG SCIENTISTS. 4) SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR) PROGRAM: TO INCREASE PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIALIZATION OF INNOVATIONS DERIVED FROM FEDERAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, TO ENCOURAGE SMALL BUSINESS PARTICIPATION IN FEDERAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, AND TO FOSTER AND ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION OF SOCIALLY AND ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS IN TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION. SMALL BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER (STTR) PROGRAM: TO STIMULATE AND FOSTER SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION THROUGH COOPERATIVE RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT CARRIED OUT BETWEEN SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS, TO FOSTER TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER BETWEEN SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS, TO INCREASE PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIALIZATION OF INNOVATIONS DERIVED FROM FEDERAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, AND TO FOSTER AND ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION OF SOCIALLY AND ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS IN TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION.

93.310 - Trans-NIH Research Support

National Eye Institute (NEI) [HHS - NIH]

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) [HHS - NIH]

New Haven, Connecticut 065103210 United States

Single Zip Code

NIH Directors Pioneer Award Program (DP1 Clinical Trial Optional) (RFA-RM-20-011)

Amendment Since initial award the total obligations have increased 400% from $1,172,500 to $5,862,500.