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Mechanisms of stimulus-induced network focusing

Award Number: R01NS121220
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS AND STROKE
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 04/15/2021
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 03/31/2026

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Mechanisms of stimulus-induced network focusing - Project Summary Large-scale recordings are discovering that individual neurons in sensory, cognitive, and motor networks often participate variably, even when presented with identical inputs. The reason for such variability is unclear, and an active topic of debate in the field. Does it reflect randomness in neuronal participation, or is it an adaptive feature that plays an essential role in healthy brain function? The scientific premise of this application is the latter—that variably participating neurons reflect the operation of a “focusing” mechanism innate to many networks that allows them to rapidly and flexibly rearrange which neurons are called upon to process specific information in the context of the moment. This hypothesis emerged unexpectedly from our large-scale recordings of the rhythmic escape swim network of the marine mollusk Tritonia diomedea. We were surprised to discover that during the initial seconds of responding to an unexpected aversive sensory input, Tritonia's swim motor program rapidly tunes itself, pulling many initially-silent neurons into the bursting population and driving others out, apparently optimizing itself for escape. In this Tritonia case, the “focused” state is then maintained for several minutes, enabling a stronger, faster-onset motor program should the same stimulus recur. Many studies in vertebrates have reported rapid growth in the size of responding networks with repeated stimulation, but the mechanisms and purpose of such phenomena are poorly understood. This project's goal is to uncover the mechanisms underlying what may be an important versatility process for healthy function in many brain networks—one that allows them to rapidly re-allocate neurons to suit a specific context, and then hold that focused state for a sustained period of time. The project has 2 Specific Aims: Aim 1 will map the re-allocating neurons and address several issues regarding the phenomenology of this poorly understood network focusing process. Aim 2 will determine the cellular mechanisms driving the rapid re- allocation of neurons into and out of the bursting escape swim network as it focuses. The principles of rapid network focusing to be investigated here may promote novel approaches for treating or preventing declines in cognitive function in aging and disease.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $351,000 )
2025	2025	ROSALIND FRANKLIN UNIVERSITY OF MEDICINE & SCIENCE	3333 GREEN BAY RD	NORTH CHICAGO	IL	60064	LAKE	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	000	5	3/26/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$351,000
														Subtotal = $351,000

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $378,300 )
2024	2024	ROSALIND FRANKLIN UNIVERSITY OF MEDICINE & SCIENCE	3333 GREEN BAY RD	NORTH CHICAGO	IL	60064	LAKE	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	000	4	2/26/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$351,000
2024	2024	ROSALIND FRANKLIN UNIVERSITY OF MEDICINE & SCIENCE	3333 GREEN BAY RD	NORTH CHICAGO	IL	60064	LAKE	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	001	4	4/25/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$27,300
														Subtotal = $378,300

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $390,000 )
2023	2023	ROSALIND FRANKLIN UNIVERSITY OF MEDICINE & SCIENCE	3333 GREEN BAY RD	NORTH CHICAGO	IL	60064	LAKE	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	000	3	4/26/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$390,000
														Subtotal = $390,000

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $390,000 )
2022	2022	ROSALIND FRANKLIN UNIVERSITY OF MEDICINE AND SCIENCE	3333 GREEN BAY RD	NORTH CHICAGO	IL	60064	LAKE	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	000	2	4/1/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$390,000
														Subtotal = $390,000

Issue Date FY: 2021 ( Subtotal = $390,000 )
2021	2021	ROSALIND FRANKLIN UNIVERSITY OF MEDICINE AND SCIENCE	3333 GREEN BAY RD	NORTH CHICAGO	IL	60064	LAKE	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	000	1	4/2/2021	NEW	$390,000
														Subtotal = $390,000

Grand Total All Awards = $1,899,300

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Mechanisms of stimulus-induced network focusing

Award Number: R01NS121220

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS AND STROKE

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 04/15/2021

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 03/31/2026

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