2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report
Mechanism of plastic changes in the nervous system that enable juvenile learning
| Project/Area Number |
24500388
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| Research Category |
Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
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| Allocation Type | Multi-year Fund |
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| Section | 一般 |
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| Research Field |
Neuroscience in general
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| Research Institution | Kitasato University |
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Principal Investigator |
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| Project Period (FY) |
2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
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| Keywords | 行動生理学 / 刷込み行動 / グルタミン酸受容体 / ニワトリ / 幼若期 / 記憶学習 / 神経可塑性 |
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| Outline of Final Research Achievements |
Imprinting behavior in birds is a good model for juvenile learning, because its critical period resides in several days after hatching. Major excitatory neural transmitter in the brain is glutamate, and an activation of one of its receptors plays a role in the establishment of imprinting behavior. A neural circuit connecting a brain area similar to the visual cortex and a memory storing region is involved in the imprinting behavior, and cells in this neural circuit express this receptor. Imprint training activates and enhances this receptor expressed in these cells by positive feedback. Consequently, transduction of neural information in this circuit is accelerated and enhanced in a short time. It is suggested that this is a mechanism for various juvenile learning.
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| Free Research Field |
神経科学
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