Optical imaging of neuronal connections and understanding the mechanisms of signal transformation between areas TEO and TE

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26750383
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Brain biometrics
• Research Institution: Institute of Physical and Chemical Research
• Principal Investigator: Nakamichi Yu 国立研究開発法人理化学研究所, 脳科学総合研究センター, 研究員 (70586164)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: オプトジェネティクス / 光内因性信号イメージング / 視覚

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Visual information is hierarchically processed in multiple cortical areas along ventral stream. In this study, to explore how the visual information is transformed between final stages of visual processing, areas TEO and TE, a technique to identify cortico-cortical projection patterns was developed using optogenetics and optical intrinsic signal imaging. For validation, the technique was applied to well-known callosal connections in V1/V2 border. The results showed reproducible projection patterns and those were confirmed with electrophysiological recordings. The technique was applied to unknown connections between TEO and TE, and reproducible projection patterns were also obtained. Therefore, mechanisms of visual information transformation between areas TEO and TE can be revealed by combination of the cortico-cortical projection mapping and electrophysiological recording.

Free Research Field

脳科学