# THE NEUROBIOLOGY OF EARLY LEARNING

> **NIH NIH P01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-IRVINE · 1994 · $474,714

## Abstract

We propose to continue our integrated investigation of the neurobiology of
early olfactory learning.  Our focus will be on the neurotransmitter and
neurotrophic mechanisms involved in the neurobehavioral changes within the
rat olfactory bulb induced by early olfactory learning.

Dr. Leon will address the role of noradrenaline in the formation and
expression of early olfactory learning by determining:  the response of
olfactory bulb neurons to noradrenergic stimulation; the possibility of a
transient expression of beta noradrenergic receptors in the developing
bulb; the role of alpha noradrenergic receptors in the expression of the
neurobehavioral response; the function of the conditioned increase in bulb
noradrenaline; the mechanism underlying the termination of the sensitive
period; whether noradrenaline is a common critical factor for different
reinforcing stimulation; whether "overstimulation" blocking of early
olfactory learning is due to changes in noradrenergic responses.

Dr. Gall will use the in situ hybridization technique to determine:  the
spatial localization within the olfactory bulb for both immediate early
genes in response to odors presented under different stimulus conditions;
the response to olfactory preference training; the dual response to novel
and learned olfactory cues; the possible sharpening of the bulb response
during development; the effects of early olfactory deprivation on
subsequent olfactory bulb responses; whether changes in the immediate early
genes can be linked to cellular changes in the expression of
preproenkephalin and tyrosine hydroxylase.

Dr. Neve will examine the role of GAP-43 in the early dopamine response of
the bulb by:  analyzing developing bulb for the expression of both GAP-43
and protein kinase C, a potential factor in the stabilization of GAP-43
mRNA; determining whether there is a change in GAP-43 and protein kinase C
after early olfactory learning; changing the expression of GAP-43 in the
bulb with a recombinant virus, then determining the change in dopamine
release in response to early olfactory preference training; constructing
transgenic mice that have a mutant form of GAP-43 to suppress dopamine
release and then determining their response to olfactory preference
training.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 2199102
- **Project number:** 5P01HD024236-05
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-IRVINE
- **SAM.gov UEI:** MJC5FCYQTPE6
- **Principal Investigator:** Michael Leon
- **Activity code:** P01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1994
- **Award amount:** $474,714
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1989-04-01 → 1997-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/2199102

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 2199102, THE NEUROBIOLOGY OF EARLY LEARNING (5P01HD024236-05). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/2199102. Licensed CC0.

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