POWRE: Pheromonal Stimulation of Multiunit Activity in the MPN Mag

斯万博士将进行实验，以确定性类固醇如何影响调节行为的神经细胞的活动。性腺类固醇对几乎所有形式的行为的组织和表达都有深远的影响。虽然从几种不同的方法可以清楚地看出，类固醇通过对特定神经元细胞群的作用来影响行为，但类固醇改变神经元功能的确切方式尚不清楚。斯旺博士实验室的几项实验结果表明，性腺类固醇可能通过调节下丘脑（一种大脑结构）三个中心区域之间的神经元活动和交流来调节行为。这些结果是通过使用一种新技术间接监测神经元活动而发现的。斯万博士计划在相同的实验设计中通过直接监测神经元活动来证实和扩展这些发现。直接记录神经元活动是一项费力的技术，需要大量的技术技能和设备。因此，斯万博士计划访问在该技术方面具有特殊专长的实验室。这些计划因她女儿的出生而推迟。POWRE奖将为完成这些实验提供必要的资金，使斯万博士能够弥补因生育而失去的时间，并为使用尖端神经元监测技术进行新阶段的研究做好准备。

Dr. Swann will carry out experiments desdesigned to determine how sex steroids influence the activity of neural cells that regulate behavior. Gonadal steroids have profound effects on the organization and expression of almost all forms of behavior. Although it is clear from several different approaches that steroids affect behavior through actions on specific neuronal cell groups, the exact way in which steroids change neuronal function is not known. The results from several experiments in Dr. Swann's lab indicate that gonadal steroids may regulate behavior by regulating neuronal activity and communication among three central areas in the hypothalamus (a brain structure). These results were discovered by indirectly monitoring neuronal activity using a novel technique. Dr. Swann plans to confirm and expand these findings by directly monitoring neuronal activity in the same experimental design. Direct recording of neuronal activity is a laborious technique that requires substantial technical skill and equipment. Therefore, Dr. Swann had planned to visit laboratories with special expertise in this technique. These plans were delayed by the birth of her daughter. The POWRE award will provide the funds necessary to complete these experiments, allow Dr. Swann to catch up on time lost to maternity, and prepare her for a new phase of research using cutting-edge neuronal monitoring techniques.