Neurobiology of Action

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Neurobiology of Action

The Neurobiology of Action team uses multiple approaches to investigate how the brain adaptively controls behavior and internal organ function.

Goals and Approach

The Neurobiology of Action team at the Allen Institute for Neural Dynamics is developing and using genetic, electrophysiological, optical, and behavioral approaches to investigate how the brain adaptively controls behavior and internal organ function. More specifically the team focuses on understanding the descending circuits controlling the execution of actions, and how they change when actions are reinforced and refined. During adaptive behavior, the brain must not only control actions through muscles but also the function of other internal organs. Therefore, the team is also characterizing the descending innervation of internal organs, like the spleen and pancreas, and how the brain learns to modulate their function.

Projects

Brain Control of Internal Organ Function

The brain can control responses from several internal organs in the body, such as the spleen and the pancreas. Importantly, neuronal circuits are also capable of learning how to modulate these organs. In this project this team aim to characterize the neuronal circuits responsible for this type of control, and understand how the brain learns to modulate internal organ function.

Behavior and Motor Control

Actions are generated through the activity of muscles, and one of the challenges in understanding behavior has been to uncover how these descending neural circuits precisely interact to control muscles and produce actions. In this project this team aims to understanding the descending circuits involved in action control, and investigate how these neuronal circuits are modulated during action reinforcement and refinement.