Behavioral Actions of Neuropeptides

压力、攻击性和繁殖是行为的例子 受类固醇激素影响的细胞 最近，它已经成为 很明显，另一类激素，称为神经肽， 对行为的重大影响。 摩尔医生将调查 类固醇激素和神经肽相互作用的机制 来调节行为 他将使用现代 解剖学和分子技术来确定 神经肽上的性腺类固醇激素，精氨酸催产素， 一个简单的两栖动物模型系统。 通过量化催产素 神经元中的受体，测量 行为上重要的大脑区域， 摩尔博士将研究单个脑细胞中的催产素基因， 确定是否季节变化或性别差异， 血管紧张素系统与行为状态有关 以及维持生殖能力的性腺类固醇激素 行为影响这个神经肽系统。 这些研究 这是因为降低了结构的复杂性。 两栖动物的大脑结合了它们独特的刻板印象 对神经内分泌操作的反应 从以下方面获得的见解： 该模型系统将为理解 类固醇激素与 动物体内的神经肽具有更大的复杂性。

Stress, aggression, and reproduction are examples of behaviors that are affected by steroid hormones. Recently, it has become clear that another class of hormones, called neuropeptides, have major effects on behaviors. Dr. Moore will investigate the mechanisms by which steroid hormones and neuropeptides interact in the brain to regulate behavior. He will employ modern anatomical and molecular techniques to determine the effects of gonadal steroid hormones on the neuropeptide, arginine vasotocin, in a simple amphibian model system. By quantifying vasotocin receptors in neurons, measuring vasotocin concentrations in behaviorally important brain areas, and determining the activity of vasotocin genes in individual brain cells, Dr. Moore will determine whether seasonal changes or sexual differences in the vasotocinergic system are associated with the behavioral state and whether gonadal steroid hormones that maintain reproductive behaviors influence this neuropeptide system. These studies are possible because of the reduced structural complexity of the amphibian brain in combination with their distinct stereotyped responses to neuroendocrine manipulations. Insights gained with this model system will lay the groundwork in understanding of the functional relationship between steroid hormones and neuropeptides in animals with much greater complexity.