Troyer T W, Levin J E, Jacobs G A
Department of Mathematics, University of California, Berkeley 94720.
Microsc Res Tech. 1994 Dec 1;29(5):329-43. doi: 10.1002/jemt.1070290502.
We describe the development and analysis of a quantitative database representing the global structural and functional organization of an entire sensory map. The database was derived from measurements of anatomical characteristics of a statistical sample of typical mechanosensory afferents in the cricket cercal sensory system. Anatomical characteristics of the neurons were measured quantitatively in three dimensions using a computer reconstruction system. The reconstructions of all neurons were aligned and scaled to a common standard set of dimensions, according to a highly reproducible set of intrinsic fiducial marks. The database therefore preserves accurate information about spatial relationships between the neurons within the ensemble. Algorithms were implemented to allow the integration of electrophysiological data about the stimulus/response characteristics of the reconstructed neurons into the database. The algorithms essentially map a physiological function onto a "field" representing the continuous distribution of synaptic terminals throughout the neural structure. Subsequent analysis allowed quantitative predictions of several important functional characteristics of the sensory map that emerge from its global organization. First, quantitative and testable predictions were made about ensemble response patterns within the map. The predicted patterns are presented as graphical images, similar to images that might be observed with activity-dependent dyes in the real neural system. Second, the synaptic innervation patterns from the sensory afferent map onto the dendrites of a postsynaptic target interneuron were predicted by calculating the overlap between the interneuron's dendrites with the afferent map. By doing so, several aspects of the stimulus/response properties of the interneuron were accurately predicted.
我们描述了一个定量数据库的开发与分析，该数据库代表了整个感觉图谱的全局结构和功能组织。该数据库源自对蟋蟀尾须感觉系统中典型机械感觉传入神经统计样本的解剖特征测量。使用计算机重建系统在三个维度上对神经元的解剖特征进行了定量测量。根据一组高度可重复的内在基准标记，将所有神经元的重建对齐并缩放到一组通用的标准尺寸。因此，该数据库保留了有关集合内神经元之间空间关系的准确信息。实施了算法，以将有关重建神经元的刺激/反应特性的电生理数据整合到数据库中。这些算法本质上是将一种生理功能映射到一个“场”上，该“场”代表了整个神经结构中突触末端的连续分布。后续分析允许对从其全局组织中出现的感觉图谱的几个重要功能特征进行定量预测。首先，对图谱内的集合反应模式进行了定量且可测试的预测。预测模式以图形图像的形式呈现，类似于在真实神经系统中用活性依赖染料可能观察到的图像。其次，通过计算中间神经元的树突与传入图谱之间的重叠，预测了从感觉传入图谱到突触后目标中间神经元树突的突触支配模式。通过这样做，准确预测了中间神经元刺激/反应特性的几个方面。
