Office: 317-274-1148
Fax: 317-274-0539
E-mail: dsuzuki@iupui.edu
I am very interested in animal behavior and seek an understanding of the neural bases for behavior. Given the complexities of animal behavior, motor behavior has been chosen as a representative example that is amenable to laboratory study. Specifically, the long-term goal of our research efforts is to gain an understanding of the sensory-motor interactions involved with the regulation of motor behavior. Of primary concern is the determination of the neuronal mechanisms involved with the transformation of sensory information into signals that are utilized in the generation and regulation of eye and head movements. Currently under investigation are the neuronal bases for sensory and motor signal transformations occurring in the brain stem and cerebellum. We are especially interested in the neuronal mechanisms involved with subcortical visual motion processing and the encoding of parameters that characterize movements of the eyes and head. The methodology includes extracellular single unit recording and pharmacological, histological, and behavioral techniques. Control systems modeling, neural network modeling, and computer simulation are additional techniques that have been employed in our research by those with the appropriate background. The investigation of subcortical visual motion processing and sensori-motor signal integration will further our understanding of the neural mechanisms responsible for regulating visually guided motor behavior. Without precision in visuomotor behavior, proper visual function would be compromised.
Publications:
Suzuki, et al. Smooth-pursuit eye movement deficits with chemical lesions in macaque nucleus reticularis tegmenti pontis. J. Neurophysiol. (1999,in press).
Yamada, et al. Smooth pursuit-like eye movements evoked by microstimulation in macaque nucleus reticularis tegmenti pontis. J. Neurophysiol. 76: 3313-3324 (1996).
Suzuki, et al. Visual motion response properties
of neurons in the dorsolateral pontine nucleus of the alert monkey.
J. Neurophysiol 63: 37-59 (1990).