Body map reorganization by remodeling of neural circuit in CNS

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26290010
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Partial Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Neurophysiology / General neuroscience
• Research Institution: Tokyo Women's Medical University
• Principal Investigator: Miyata Mariko 東京女子医科大学, 医学部, 教授 (70281631)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): Takeuchi Yuichi 東京女子医科大学, 医学部, 助教 (70588384)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 視床 / 改編 / 内側毛帯線維 / 体部位情報

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Neural circuits in the somatosensory system are remodeled during development and/ or by peripheral nerve injury . However, the link between local circuit remodeling and somatotopic reorganization remains unclear.In the present study, we discovered that remodeling of lemniscal fibers (excitatory afferent fibers in the somatosensory thalamus) caused by transection of the primary whisker sensory nerve actually mediated somatotopic reorganization with highly correlated anatomical remodeling and functional rewiring. Specifically, lemniscal fibers carrying genetically visualized whisker-specific information significantly retracted from the whisker sensory thalamus after the transection, whereas those not carrying whisker information ectopically invaded the whisker sensory thalamus.

Free Research Field

神経科学