Elucidating the mechanisms underlying state dependent sensory processing

2022 Fiscal Year Research-status Report

• Project/Area Number: 22K06490
• Research Institution: Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University
• Principal Investigator: Lindeman Sander 沖縄科学技術大学院大学, 知覚と行動の神経科学ユニット, ポストドクトラルスカラー (50866192)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): フクナガ イズミ 沖縄科学技術大学院大学, 知覚と行動の神経科学ユニット, 准教授 (90801259)
• Project Period (FY): 2022-04-01 – 2025-03-31
• Keywords: Neurosicence / State-dependent / Inhibition / Sensory Processing

Outline of Annual Research Achievements

In FY 2022 we have successfully ran experiments to identify subcellular specificity of sate-dependent inhibition. We have recorded neural activity from different compartments of two types of output neurons in the olfactory bulb. With these data we were able to identify where in these cells (in which compartments) inhibition occurred in a behavioural relevant context. We thus have successfully reach our milestone for this fiscal year. In addition, we started to run experiments to identify the source of this inhibition. The preliminary results were shared at a major international neuroscience conference in November and have been positively received by our peers.

Current Status of Research Progress

2: Research has progressed on the whole more than it was originally planned.

Reason

Research progress is according to initial plan. No major set-backs encountered.

Strategy for Future Research Activity

We set out to identify the source of the inhibition that we observed in the output neurons in the olfactory bulb. For this, we recently have started to record activity from the inhibitory granule cells, located deep in the olfactory bulb. These neurons mediate feedback information from a specific higher order brain region into the olfactory bulb. These data will shed light on which higher order brain regions are potentially involved in modulating state-dependent sensory processing in the olfactory bulb.