Role of the Nervus Terminalis in Chemoreception and Behavior

9320250维西格-维克曼协调感觉、运动和神经内分泌系统对许多物种的生存至关重要。事实上，嗅觉系统和犁鼻系统这两个鼻部化学感觉系统在许多脊椎动物的生殖活动中发挥着重要作用。终神经是鼻腔中的另一个神经系统。然而，与嗅觉和犁鼻系统不同的是，人们对这种脑神经的功能知之甚少。Wirsig-Wiechmann博士已经证明，这种延伸到大脑的神经复合体含有促性腺激素释放激素，这种激素调节生殖的许多方面。使用比较的方法结合各种最先进的解剖学技术，她将确定终神经的神经解剖学组织和这种激素受体的相应分布。为了研究它的功能，Wirsig-Wiechmann博士将研究激活终神经神经元基因表达的感觉和行为条件。这些研究的结果将更好地定义感觉、神经激素和行为系统之间的相互关系。这可能会导致对动物环境如何影响其对生存至关重要的生殖能力的更彻底的理解。***

9320250 Wirsig-Wiechmann Coordination of sensory, motor and neuroendocrine systems is essential for survival of many species. Indeed two nasal chemosensory systems, the olfactory and vomeronasal systems, are known to play a significant role in reproductive activities of many vertebrates species. The nervus terminalis is another neural system in the nasal cavity. Unlike the olfactory and vomeronasal systems, however, little is known about the function of this cranial nerve. Dr. Wirsig-Wiechmann has shown that this neural complex which extends into the brain contains gonadotropin-releasing hormone, a hormone mediating many aspects of reproduction. Using a comparative approach combined with a variety of state-of-the-art anatomical techniques, she will determine the neuroanatomical organization of the nervus terminalis and the corresponding distribution of receptors for this hormone. To examine its function, Dr. Wirsig-Wiechmann will examine sensory and behavioral conditions that activate gene expression in nervus terminalis neurons. The results of these studies will better define the interrelationship between sensory, neurohormonal and behavioral systems. It may lead to a more thorough understanding of how the animals environment affects its reproductive capabilities that are important for survival. ***