Preoptic Area Neuroanatomy and Maternal Behavior

WPCc 2 B Z R ！HP LaserJet III HPLASEII。PRS x @， t 0 OpX @快递10cpi快递10cpi Bold 2 x a ？x x x， ıw x 6 x @ 8；X @ 1 ？X X X, X ' w；X X。E。【人类】为了物种的生存，必须照顾幼崽，直到它们能独立生存为止。直到最近，很少有研究指向阐明父母行为背后的神经机制。现在已经知道，视前区参与了母体反应性的调节。这个大脑区域的破坏阻止了母性行为的表现，而直接在这个区域局部应用激素可以刺激母性行为。虽然人们认识到视前区是重要的，但它对行为产生影响的方式仍不清楚。努曼博士的研究就是为了提供这个答案。使用神经解剖学和神经化学技术，他将检查更大的神经回路，其中视前区调节母性行为。努曼博士将确定大脑中投射到视前区的区域，以及视前区的位置，进而影响母亲的行为。此外，他将确定在已识别的神经回路中使用的神经化学物质。这一基础研究形成了我们对母体反应的神经基质理解的开始。一旦定义了正常行为的生物学基础，就有可能确定在不正常的养育过程中大脑中可能出现的问题。正是这种类型的基础研究，将最终导致揭示一些生物学上的原因，如虐待和忽视儿童，以及产后抑郁症等疾病。＊＊＊

WPCc 2 B Z R ! #| x HP LaserJet III HPLASEII.PRS x @ , t 0 OpX @ Courier 10cpi Courier 10cpi Bold 2 X a ? x x x , ıw x 6 X @ 8 ; X @ l ? x x x , x ` w ; X X . E . E PSQRV G t9 % t6 t, Q | } r 9 ^ZY X C~ S~ P C~ X PSQVW t S s r t6W 9319315 Numan For survival of the species, the young must be cared for until they can subsist on their own. Until recently, little research has been directed towards the elucidation of the neural mechanisms underlying parental behavior. It is now known that the preoptic area is involved in the regulation of maternal responsiveness. Destruction of this brain region prevents the display of maternal behavior, and direct local application of hormones to this region can stimulate maternal behavior. Although it is recognized that the preoptic area is important, the way in which it produces its influence over the behavior is still not known. Dr. Numan's research is directed at providing this answer. Using neuroanatomical and neurochemical techniques, he will examine the larger neural circuitry within which the preoptic area operates to mediate maternal behavior. Dr. Numan will determine the areas in the brain that project to the preoptic region, and where the preoptic area, in turn, projects to influence maternal behavior. Moreover, he will determine the neurochemicals used in the identified neural circuits. This basic research forms the beginning of our understanding of the neural substrates of maternal responsiveness. Once the biological underpinnings of normal behavior are defined, it will be possible to identify what might go wrong in the brain during abnormal parenting. It is this typ e of basic research that will eventually lead to uncovering of some of the biological causes of poor mothering such as child abuse and neglect, and disorders such as postpartum depression. ***