Hormonal Modulation of the Nervous System During Metamorphosis

昆虫变态是指神经系统发生巨大变化，以使从幼虫中产生的非常不同的生物体以适合其新生活环境的新方式行为的时期。这些显著的行为变化需要神经元回路和单个细胞特性的显著重组。莱文博士追踪了机械感觉反射回路的变化，该回路在不同的人生阶段介导了截然不同的行为反应。使用创新的最先进的技术，他研究了类固醇和肽激素指导新突触形成的机制，并修改了反映在改变的行为模式中的重要细胞事件。最近的研究结果表明，成年神经系统不是刚性的，因为成年神经元可以发生形态变化。莱文博士的发现将增强我们对神经元可塑性背后事件的理解。因此，他的工作有望为了解成人大脑如何发生变化提供见解，特别是与学习、记忆和功能恢复的关系。

Insect metamorphosis is a time during which the nervous system is dramatically altered to allow the very different organism which emerges from the larva to behave in new ways appropriate to its new life situation. These pronounced changes in behavior require a striking reorganization of neuronal circuits and the properties of individual cells. Dr. Levine follows the changes in a mechanosensory reflex circuit that mediates a very different behavioral response at different life stages. Using innovative state-of-the-art techniques, he examines the mechanisms by which steroid and peptide hormones direct the formation of new synapses and modifies important cellular events which are reflected in the altered patterns of behavior. Recent findings have led to the conclusion that the adult nervous system is not rigid since adult neurons can undergo morphological changes. Dr. Levine's findings will enhance our understanding of the events underlying neuronal plasticity. Thus, his work holds promise of providing insights into how changes can occur in adult brains, especially with relationship to learning and memory and recovery of function.