Thesis
Inhibition shapes selectivity to vocalizations in the inferior colliculus of awake mice
Washington State University
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
2012
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/101338
Abstract
The inferior colliculus (IC) is a major center for integration of auditory information as it receives ascending projections from a variety of brainstem nuclei as well as descending projections from the thalamus and auditory cortex. The ascending projections are both excitatory and inhibitory and their convergence at the IC shapes neural responses to simple, binaural, and modulated sounds. The purpose of this study was to examine how inhibitory inputs shape responses to complex sounds in the IC of awake normal-hearing adult mice (CBA/CaJ strain). Neurons in the IC of mice are selective to vocalizations, and here I hypothesized that this selectivity is in part created by inhibitory inputs. I compared single unit responses in the IC to pure tones and a variety of ultrasonic mouse vocalizations before and after iontophoretic application of GABAA receptor and Glycine receptor (GlyR) antagonists. The most common effects of blocking GABAAR and GlyR on IC neurons were to increase spike rates and broaden excitatory frequency tuning curves in response to pure tone stimuli, and to decrease selectivity to vocalizations. I conclude that inhibition plays an important role in creating selective responses to vocalizations in the inferior colliculus.
Metrics
Details
- Title
- Inhibition shapes selectivity to vocalizations in the inferior colliculus of awake mice
- Creators
- Zachary M. Mayko
- Contributors
- Christine V. Portfors (Degree Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Biological Sciences, School of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; [Pullman, Washington] :
- Identifiers
- 99900525086801842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis