CAREER: Neuropeptides and Motivated Behavior: Neuroethological Studies

通俗摘要 PI：米勒，马克提案编号：IBN-9722349 许多目标导向行为被认为是“有动机的”，因为它们的发生取决于外在因素（例如食物的存在）和生物体的内在状态（例如饥饿或饱腹感的水平）。这项研究将特定脑细胞的活动以及它们之间的联系与复杂动机行为模式的产生联系起来。该项目的重点是被称为神经肽的化学物质的作用，这些化学物质在进食等有动机的行为中调节这些神经系统细胞的活动。这些研究是作为波多黎各圣胡安神经生物学研究所的本科生暑期项目的一部分进行的，因此研究项目的每一步都涉及本科生。 包括人类在内的大多数生物体都表现出各种各样的动机行为。本项目研究控制这些行为的大脑机制的基本原理。通过将研究与本科生暑期研究计划相结合，该项目为学生提供了动手研究的机会和经验，这些机会和经验是以前学生在主办机构无法获得的。

Lay Abstract PI: Miller, Mark Proposal Number: IBN-9722349 Many goal-oriented behaviors are said to be "motivated" as their occurrence depends upon both extrinsic factors (such as the presence of food) and the intrinsic state of the organism (such as the level of hunger or satiety). This investigation relates the activities of specific brain cells and the connections between them to the generation of complex motivated patterns of behavior. The project focuses on the role of chemical substances called neuropeptides, which modulate the activity of these nervous system cells during motivated behavior such as eating. The studies are conducted as part of an undergraduate summer program at the Institute of Neurobiology in San Juan, Puerto Rico so that every step of the research program involves undergraduates. Most organisms, including humans, exhibit a variety of motivated behaviors. This project investigates the fundamental principles underlying the brain mechanisms controlling such behaviors. By coupling the research to the undergraduate summer research program, the project provides students with access to hands-on research opportunities and experiences that were previously inaccessible to students at the host institution.