|
|
|
Focusing on neuronal cell-type specific mechanisms for brain circuit organization, function and dysfunction |
| Lu Li |
| Allen Institute for Brain Science, 615 Westlake Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109, USA |
|
|
|
|
Abstract Mammalian brain circuits consist of dynamically interconnected neurons with characteristic morphology, physiology, connectivity and genetics which are often called neuronal cell types. Neuronal cell types have been considered as building blocks of brain circuits, but knowledge of how neuron types or subtypes connect to and interact with each other to perform neuralcomputation is still lacking. Such mechanistic insights are critical not only to our understanding of normal brain functions, such as perception, motion and cognition, but
also to brain disorders including Alzheimer’s disease, Schizophrenia and epilepsy, to name a few. Thus it is necessary to carry out systematic and standardized studies on neuronal cell-type specific mechanisms for brain circuit organization and function, which will provide good opportunities to bridge basic and clinical research. Here based on recent technology advancements,we discuss the strategy to target and manipulate specific populations of neurons in vivo to provide unique insights on how neuron types or subtypes behave, interact, and generate emergent properties in a fully connected brain network. Our approach is highlighted by combining
transgenic animal models, targeted electrophysiology and imaging with robotics, thus complete and standardized mapping of in vivo properties of genetically defined neuron populations can be achieved in transgenic mouse models, which will facilitate the development of novel therapeutic strategies for brain disorders.
|
|
Issue Date: 01 September 2017
|
|
|
Viewed |
|
|
|
Full text
|
|
|
|
|
Abstract
|
|
|
|
|
Cited |
|
|
|
|
| |
Shared |
|
|
|
|
| |
Discussed |
|
|
|
|
