The Section on In Vivo Neural Function studies the neurobiology of action in health and disease. Our overall goal is to understand how changes in molecular networks in the brain modify neural circuits to produce experience-dependent changes in actions. We are particularly interested in investigating the corticostriatal mechanisms underlying the learning and flexible use of actions, e.g. how  new actions and skills are learned, how they are voluntarily initiated, how they can be associates with particular outcomes, and how eventually they can become habitual. We seek to investigate these problems using and integrative approach spanning from molecules to circuits, where we monitor and manipulate the activity of molecules, neuronal circuits, and behavior. We chose to implement this integrative approach in mice because they combine the power of genetics, a mammalian brain with layered structures that can generate oscillatory activity, the possibility of accurately quantifying simple behaviors like action initiation and stereotypic skill learning, and also more elaborate behaviors like goal-directed actions. Our specific goals are:

- To investigate the molecular, cellular, and circuit mechanisms mediating the different phases of action and skill learning.

- To study the corticostriatal mechanisms underlying dopamine control of voluntary movement and goal-directed navigation.

- To investigate the relationship between actions and rewards, in particular the differences between goal-directed actions and habits, as well as the mechanisms of addiction (e.g. alcoholism).

- To study the alterations in corticostriatal function in different neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders in-vivo.

                                    SC Lin @ 2006