U19NS137920

High- and low-level computations for coordination of orofacial motor actions - overall - abstract

High- and low-level computations for coordination of orofacial motor actions neuronal circuits in the brainstem integrate control of life-sustaining motor actions, such as breathing and feeding, with exploratory motor actions, such as sniffing, licking, nose and head turning, and, for rodents, whisking.

All of these contain a rhythmic component that is entrained by the breathing cycle.

What are the underlying circuits that produce these motor actions and how are they coordinated into flexible behaviors?

Our hypothesis is that high-level rhythmic signals use feedback to modulate the phase of low-level oscillator activity on a cycle-wise basis.

High-level broadband signals also regulate set-point and posture of effectors.

Together, low- and high-level signals lead to coordinated and precise rhythmic behaviors to achieve sensory goals.

We address our hypothesis using two theoretical concepts and a plethora of experimental procedures.

One theoretical concept is control theory.

This concept emphasizes internal models, that is, computations that yield signals to drive a physical plant, such as the vibrissae or the tongue, that respect the innervation of the musculature.

Control theory also emphasizes the role of feedback signals to correct the timing of rhythmic actions.

The second theoretical concept is coupled oscillators circuits, one for each rhythmic action with an overall "coordinator".

These guide schemes for the continual adjustment rhythmic action phases to form a precise behavior.

Theoretical guidance was pivotal toward the discovery of the oscillator for whisking, identify a mechanism brain used to create a hierarchy of oscillators, and identifying modularity in the control of movement.

We seek to discover a second fundamental oscillator in the brainstem, one that controls chewing and licking.

In parallel, we will complete a biomechanical model of the tongue that includes changes in shape and turgidity based on motor innervation of the muscles and the control of blood flow by local parasympathetic neurons.

Together with whisking and joint vibrissa and head movement, these are a trifecta of targets for high-level control.

A novel concept in our proposal is the fine control of rhythmic motion by high-level feedback to refine the relative timing of different rhythm motor actions.

Thus head position, tongue position, possibly whisker position are optimized in the context of a behavior.

We address this possibility through three interdependent approaches: anatomical tracing of molecularly identified high-level cell types to molecularly identified low-level targets in the medulla; recording and perturbing signals in superior colliculus that influence head orientation and whisking; and recording and perturbing cortical signals that influence licking.

The collective expertise of our team bridges state-of-the-art anatomical, behavioral, computational, molecular, and physiological technologies.

We have historically adhered to the highest standards in experimentation, analysis, and theory.

Critically, we are joined by top trainees in a diverse workforce committed to progress on motor control, and we are dedicated to educating our trainees in a culture of curiosity and scholastic excellence.

San Diego University Of California

(1) TO SUPPORT EXTRAMURAL RESEARCH FUNDED BY THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS AND STROKE (NINDS) INCLUDING: BASIC RESEARCH THAT EXPLORES THE FUNDAMENTAL STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF THE BRAIN AND THE NERVOUS SYSTEM, RESEARCH TO UNDERSTAND THE CAUSES AND ORIGINS OF PATHOLOGICAL CONDITIONS OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM WITH THE GOAL OF PREVENTING THESE DISORDERS, RESEARCH ON THE NATURAL COURSE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS, IMPROVED METHODS OF DISEASE PREVENTION, NEW METHODS OF DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT, DRUG DEVELOPMENT, DEVELOPMENT OF NEURAL DEVICES, CLINICAL TRIALS, AND RESEARCH TRAINING IN BASIC, TRANSLATIONAL AND CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCE. THE INSTITUTE IS THE LARGEST FUNDER OF BASIC NEUROSCIENCE IN THE US AND SUPPORTS RESEARCH ON TOPICS INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: DEVELOPMENT OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM, INCLUDING NEUROGENESIS AND PROGENITOR CELL BIOLOGY, SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION IN DEVELOPMENT AND PLASTICITY, AND PROGRAMMED CELL DEATH, SYNAPSE FORMATION, FUNCTION, AND PLASTICITY, LEARNING AND MEMORY, CHANNELS, TRANSPORTERS, AND PUMPS, CIRCUIT FORMATION AND MODULATION, BEHAVIORAL AND COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE, SENSORIMOTOR LEARNING, INTEGRATION AND EXECUTIVE FUNCTION, NEUROENDOCRINE SYSTEMS, SLEEP AND CIRCADIAN RHYTHMS, AND SENSORY AND MOTOR SYSTEMS. IN ADDITION, THE INSTITUTE SUPPORTS BASIC, TRANSLATIONAL AND CLINICAL STUDIES ON A NUMBER OF DISORDERS OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM INCLUDING (BUT NOT LIMITED TO): STROKE, TRAUMATIC INJURY TO THE BRAIN, SPINAL CORD AND PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM, NEURODEGENERATIVE DISORDERS, MOVEMENT DISORDERS, BRAIN TUMORS, CONVULSIVE DISORDERS, INFECTIOUS DISORDERS OF THE BRAIN AND NERVOUS SYSTEM, IMMUNE DISORDERS OF THE BRAIN AND NERVOUS SYSTEM, INCLUDING MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS, DISORDERS RELATED TO SLEEP, AND PAIN. PROGRAMMATIC AREAS, WHICH ARE PRIMARILY SUPPORTED BY THE DIVISION OF NEUROSCIENCE, ARE ALSO SUPPORTED BY THE DIVISION OF EXTRAMURAL ACTIVITIES, THE DIVISION OF TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH, THE DIVISION OF CLINICAL RESEARCH, THE OFFICE OF TRAINING AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, THE OFFICE OF PROGRAMS TO ENHANCE NEUROSCIENCE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, AND THE OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES. (2) TO EXPAND AND IMPROVE THE SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR) PROGRAM, TO INCREASE PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIALIZATION OF INNOVATIONS DERIVED FROM FEDERAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, TO INCREASE 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. TO UTILIZE THE SMALL BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER (STTR) PROGRAM, TO STIMULATE AND FOSTER SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION THROUGH COOPERATIVE RESEARCH AND 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.

93.372 - 21st Century Cures Act - Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NNDS) [HHS - NIH]

La Jolla, California 920930319 United States

Single Zip Code

BRAIN Initiative: Team-Research BRAIN Circuit Programs - TeamBCP (U19 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) (RFA-NS-22-040)

Amendment Since initial award the total obligations have increased 1189% from $642,536 to $8,283,963.