Mapping neural circuits and functions

Wednesday, October 10, 2012 — Concurrent Symposia Session II
10:00 a.m. – Noon	Balcony A

Co-chairs

• Chi-Hon Lee, NICHD
• Wei Li, NEI

Program

We would like to propose a symposium in the emerging field of neural circuit analysis. Systems neuroscience traditionally concentrates on the computational/algorithmic level of the nervous system, as David Marr advocated over three decades ago. How the brain implements these neural computations, especially in neuronal connections, is largely unknown. Even less is know about how mis-wiring of the brain during development contributes to neurological disorders, such as schizophrenia and autism. Recent technical advancements provide new venues to tackle the implementation problem directly. Microscopic reconstruction maps detailed neuronal connections at the synaptic level. Genetic methods enable activity manipulation of highly selected neurons and the identification of key circuit elements for specific functions. The number of NIH researchers in this field is growing rapidly. We hope that this symposium would foster discussion and collaboration and bridge cognitive neuroscience and synaptic physiology expertise on NIH campus.

Modern 3D electron microscopy for mapping neuronal circuit connectivity
Kevin Briggman, NINDS

A circuit breaking screen identifies gsx1 expressing neurons as modulators of the startle response
Harold Burgess, NICHD

Mapping an elementary decision network in Drosophila
Benjamin White, NIMH

Drosophila Neto controls the assembly and maintenance of glutamatergic synapses at the neuromuscular junction
Mihaela Serpe, NICHD

A color coding amacrine cell may provide a “Blue–Off” signal in a mammalian retina
Wei Li, NEI

Syntaxin 1 modulates activity-dependent inhibition of voltage-gated calcium channels at a central synapse FARE Award Winner
Fujun Luo, NINDS

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