The goal of research in the Sawtell laboratory is to forge detailed links between neuronal circuits and their functions. Our studies in both weakly electric fish and mice have shown how a specific form of synaptic plasticity operating within well-characterized cerebellum-like circuits function to predict and cancel out sensory inputs generated by the animals own behavior. Intriguingly, several lines of evidence suggest that the cerebellum itself is involved in generative predictions of the sensory consequences of motor commands, similar to those described in electric fish. Such a prediction may be important not only for sensory processing and perception, but also for motor, emotional, and cognitive functions. A long-term goal of research in the Sawtell lab is to extend studies of sensory predictions in cerebellum-like structures to the cerebellum itself in both electric fish and mice. Weakly electric mormyrid fish may provide a unique opportunity in this regard because they possess a massively hypertrophied cerebellum, larger for their brain and body size than that found in any other vertebrate species.
Synaptic plasticity in the electrosensory lobe of weakly electric mormyrid fish
Our studies in weakly electric fish have shown how a specific form of synaptic plasticity operating within a well-characterized cerebellum-like circuit functions to predict and cancel out sensory inputs generated by the animal's own behavior.
Cerebellum-like circuitry in the mammalian dorsal cochlear nucleus
Cerebellum-like circuits similar to those in electric fish are also present at the initial stage of mammalian auditory processing, in a structure known as the dorsal cochlear nucleus.