The cellular basis of information processing in a cerebellar microcircuit

Our ability to interpret sensory input and to coordinate movements is often taken for granted, but impairment in these functions during neurological disorders has debilitating effects. How neural circuits perform these functions is poorly understood. The aim of this research is to elucidate how the synaptic and cellular properties of a circuit enable populations of neurons to represent, transform and distinguish sensorimotor information, which is critical for understanding how downstream neurons learn sequences, interpret sensory input and coordinate movements. We will use the powerful new methods that we have recently developed to study information processing in the cerebellar cortex, a well-defined neural circuit involved in coordinating movements. By combining dual-channel 3D acousto-optic lens two-photon imaging with genetically encoded indicators, we will measure signalling in identified populations of synaptic inputs, inhibitory interneurons and granule cells during sensory stimuli and behavioural tasks. We will then identify the biophysical properties of the synapses and neurons involved with optogenetic approaches, imaging and electrophysiology in vitro. Using network models, we will quantify how the cellular properties underlie the network input-output relationship measured in vivo. This will advance the field by linking synaptic and cellular properties to population coding and processing in neural circuits.