"Regulation of brain plasticity: role of inhibitory circuits"黃仕勇 博士(Johns Hopkins University)-2014.8.7

時間：2014年8月7日 10:00

地點：腦功能基因組學教育部重點實驗室一樓會議室

報告題目：Regulation of brain plasticity: role of inhibitory circuits

報告人：黃仕勇 博士 Johns Hopkins University

主持人：陳愛華 研究員

報告人簡介：2006年于中國科學院獲得神經生物學博士后，赴美國約翰.霍普金斯大學作博士后研究，目前為約翰.霍普金斯大學Mind/Brain 研究所Associate research scientist。黃博士的研究內容包括：1、嚙齒類動物發育過程中視覺皮層的抑制性神經環路的變化；2、內源性大麻素對視覺皮層中抑制性傳導的成熟與復壯的作用機理研究；3、視覺皮層門控突觸可塑性的神經調節假說；4、利用光遺傳學和化學遺傳學方法在體研究眼優勢柱可塑性的神經調控機理。其多篇研究成果發表于Neuron , Journal of neuroscience等一流學術雜志。

報告簡介：The synaptic connections between excitatory neurons are plastic, which underlies learning, memory andbrain development. Critical periods for experience-dependent plasticity have been reported in many brain areas and are thought to be crucial for the normal development of central nervous system. A fundamental question that remains in the field is what mechanisms control the initiation and termination of the critical period. An attractive candidate is the maturation of GABAergic inhibitory circuits. The current general hypothesis is that a developmental increase in the strength of inhibition constrains the plasticity of excitatory synapses. My research has focused on the development of the input and output connectivity of the so called fast-spiking interneurons, the most abundant cortical GABAergic cells. My work revealed that endocannabinoids control the maturation of GABAergic efficacy and connectivity during the critical period. Excitatory synapses driving onto fast-spiking cells also play a crucial role in the initiation of the critical period. Furthermore, based on the GABAergic regulation rule, my work showed that two strategies could successfully reopen the critical period of brain plasticity in adult. One is the reduction of inhibitory output by long-term dark exposure. The other is direct enhancement of synaptic plasticity between excitatory neurons by neuromodulators. Understanding the regulation of brain plasticity provides essential insight for translational developments, such as therapeutics in neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders.