Lizzy Foley
Neuroscience Across Curriculum — COLL 118
On Tuesday, October 5th, those of us present at the common hour talk had the pleasure of hearing Chris Moore’s presentation as part of the 25th Anniversary of the Neuroscience Program. Moore attended Oberlin College, where he studied both philosophy and neuroscience, and went on to receive his Ph.D from MIT. After working at MIT’s McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Moore moved on to Brown University where he currently studies the interconnected role of blood flow and information processing as well as optogenetics in rodent models.
To begin his talk, Moore explained his main interest in understanding how the brain is dynamic. Such overarching interest led him to study the dynamic neurological mechanism that is responsible for tactile perception. In rodent animal models, Moore has applied optogenetics, which to me was novel scientific technique. Moore described his ability to genetically modify his animal models to have neurons with light-sensitive ion channels, allowing for light to control the cells. This technique makes it possible to turn specific neurons on and off, so that the effect on the nervous system and behavior could be studied.
In the first study that he mentioned, Moore observed the whisker system in his rodent mouse models. He wanted to see if enhancing gamma wave oscillations, which have been previously thoughts to be involved in perception, would increase cognizance of the stimulation of the whisker system. He applied optogenetics to use light to induce fast spiking interneurons that led to gamma wave oscillations. Ultimately, his findings indicated that inducing gamma wave oscillations increased the perception of less relevant, or naturalistic, stimuli. Such findings could be used to help those with attention issues.
The second study mentioned revolved around the development of the Hemo-Neural Hypothesis. Moore discussed the idea that blood flow in the brain has been long thought to serve merely as a metabolic support system. His research suggests, however, that blood flow and the role of the vascular system also plays a role in the modulation of neural activity and ultimately in information processing. Moore mentioned the hypermeia, which Professor Masino clarified to those of us who were unfamiliar with this term, is the process when there is increased blood flow to populations of activated neurons that is excessive. Ultimately, Moore clearly identified that such blood flow is not being driven by metabolism, as many scientists presently believe. Instead, he stated that the fact that the mechanism that changes the flow of blood also impacts neural activity suggests that hemodynamics are involved in information processing. Such theory is unique among the current concepts of the relevance of hemodynamics, however as Moore clearly discussed his research, it seemed logical and worthy of much more in depth examination.
Overall, Moore’s talk introduced me to new research techniques, neurological terms, and new ways of thinking about blood flow in the brain. Moore left an impression on the audience as true scientist, as he always questions how and why things function in a certain way. So far in his career, Moore has not let widely accepted theory reduce his new findings that may change the way in which we view simplistic processes, such as hemodynamics. Moore ended his talk by mentioning that as a scientist it is imperative to have all research open with others in order to collaborate in the hopes of coming to a greater understanding.