Synchronous firing between target-selective neurons responsible for inter-cortical communication

• Project/Area Number: 17K14942
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Neurophysiology / General neuroscience
• Research Institution: Keio University (2019); National Institute for Physiological Sciences (2017-2018)
• Principal Investigator: Ishikawa Ayako 慶應義塾大学, 医学部(信濃町), 特任助教 (60547991)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2020-03-31
• Project Status: Completed (Fiscal Year 2019)
• Budget Amount: ¥4,290,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,300,000、Indirect Cost: ¥990,000); Fiscal Year 2018: ¥1,820,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,400,000、Indirect Cost: ¥420,000); Fiscal Year 2017: ¥2,470,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,900,000、Indirect Cost: ¥570,000)
• Keywords: 視覚野 / 神経回路 / 同期発火 / 可塑性 / 発達 / 領野間結合 / 受容野 / 一次視覚野 / 高次視覚野 / 同期活動 / 生後発達 / 他領域 / 活動同期生 / 受容野構造 / ラット

Outline of Final Research Achievements

During postnatal development, neural circuit in the cerebral cortex flexibly changes in response to sensory input patterns from the surrounding environment. We have shown that two neural circuits with different flexibility were embedding in the primary visual cortex. The visual environment required for the formation of synchronous firing was different depending on the layer. In the upper layers (layers 2-4), synchronous firing occurred between neurons with similar visual selectivity, and this synchronous firing was formed in a visual environment-dependent manner. In contrast, in the lower layers (5/6 layers), synchronous firing occurred neuron with distinct visual selectivity and its formation was less dependent on the visual environment during postnatal development than in the upper layers.

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では、領野内の神経回路網が、生後発達期の視覚経験に応じて領野間の情報伝達を担う神経回路網へと変容することを示した。領野内の局所的な神経回路網と大域的な領野間ネットワークの関係について着目した本研究成果は、複雑な脳全体の神経ネットワークを明らかにする手掛かりになると考えられる。

Research Products

• [Journal Article] Hypothalamic Neuronal Circuits Regulating Hunger-Induced Taste Modification (2019)
  • Author(s): Fu O, Iwai Y, Narukawa M, Ishikawa AW, Ishii KK, Murata K, Yoshimura Y, Touhara K, Misaka T, Minokoshi Y, Nakajima KI.
  • Journal Title: Nature Communications Volume: 10 Issue: 1 Pages: 4560-4560
  • DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-12478-x
  • Peer Reviewed / Open Access / Int'l Joint Research
• [Journal Article] Experience-Dependent Development of Feature-Selective Synchronization in the Primary Visual Cortex (2018)
  • Author(s): Ishikawa Ayako Wendy、Komatsu Yukio、Yoshimura Yumiko
  • Journal Title: The Journal of Neuroscience Volume: 38 Issue: 36 Pages: 7852-7869
  • DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0027-18.2018
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Journal Article] Activation of SF1 Neurons in the Ventromedial Hypothalamus by DREADD Technology Increases Insulin Sensitivity in Peripheral Tissues. (2017)
  • Author(s): Coutinho EA, Okamoto S, Ishikawa AW, Yokota S, Wada N, Hirabayashi T, Saito K, Sato T, Takagi K, Wang CC, Kobayashi K, Ogawa Y, Shioda S, Yoshimura Y, Minokoshi Y
  • Journal Title: Diabetes Volume: 66 Issue: 9 Pages: 2372-2372
  • DOI: 10.2337/db16-1344
  • Peer Reviewed / Open Access
• [Remarks] 大脳皮質視覚野の神経細胞の同期的活動が発達するメカニズムを解明
  • URL: https://www.nips.ac.jp/release/2018/08/post_371.html