Neural activity-driven processes in the development of the socialized brain

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20H03354
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 46030:Function of nervous system-related
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Nakashima Ai 東京大学, 大学院薬学系研究科(薬学部), 助教 (60706331)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 回路形成 / 遺伝子解析 / 情動・行動

Outline of Final Research Achievements

development and regulating various biological functions, from innate to social behaviors. However, the precise mechanisms for input-dependent neural circuit development remains unclear. By using the mouse olfactory system as a model, this research aimed to uncover how sensory inputs regulate gene expression in neurons and contribute to the development of neural circuits that underlying social behaviors. We found that olfactory inputs regulate gene expression in a developmental stage-specific manner, which forms the basis for the structural and functional development of olfactory circuits. Specifically, we found that olfactory inputs play an important role in the regulation of genes related to emotional behaviors such as fear and anxiety. These findings contribute to our understanding of how sensory inputs regulate gene expression during neural circuit development and the subsequent development of social behavior.

Free Research Field

発生神経学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究は、嗅覚入力が嗅球僧帽・房飾細胞の遺伝子発現に与える影響を明らかにし、発達段階に応じて入力依存的に変動する遺伝子群の機能が異なることを示した。これは、嗅覚系の発達過程における経験依存的な神経回路の構築や再編成のメカニズムの理解に貢献する重要な知見である。また、嗅覚入力依存的な遺伝子発現制御が、匂い情報の意味づけや恐怖行動の制御に関与している可能性を示唆しており、嗅覚情報処理や匂いに対する行動制御の神経基盤の解明につながる意義がある。