Peptidergic Modulation of Synaptic Circuitry in the Dorsal Vagal Complex

0080322史密斯这个项目的目的是促进对某些脑细胞如何交流以处理来自内脏的感觉的理解（即，胃、肺、心脏等）。 内脏中的感觉神经直接与脑干下部小区域中的一组脑细胞（称为神经元）通信。 这些脑干神经元相互沟通，整合消化，心血管和其他自主功能。 在其他大脑区域产生的许多化学物质有助于调节这种交流，包括一种新发现的称为下丘脑泌素的大脑化学物质，它在大脑中起作用，通常会增加自主行为。该项目的一般假设是，下丘脑泌素以与化学物质对自主功能的影响一致的方式修改脑干内特定类型的神经元通信。 使用国家的最先进的电记录和光学成像方法来研究神经元通信和解剖，脑干的内脏相关部分的功能组织将被确定，下丘脑泌素对该电路的影响将被检查的化学报告的一般兴奋特性的上下文中。 这些实验的结果将有助于更好地理解脑干中的神经元如何相互交流，以及来自其他大脑区域的化学输入如何影响这种交流。 此外，这些结果将帮助科学家更好地了解神经元如何相互交流，以及脑干内的化学物质如何改变内脏功能的各个方面。

0080322SmithThe objective of this project is to advance understanding of how certain brain cells communicate in order to process sensation from the viscera (i.e., the stomach, lungs, heart, etc.). Sensory nerves in the viscera communicate directly with a set of brain cells, which are called neurons, in a small region of the lower part of the brainstem. These brainstem neurons communicate with each other to integrate digestive, cardiovascular and other autonomic functions. A number of chemicals made in other brain regions help regulate this communication, including a newly discovered brain chemical called hypocretin, which acts within the brain to generally increase autonomic behaviors. The general hypothesis of this project is that hypocretin modifies specific types of neuronal communication within the brainstem in a manner consistent with the chemical's effects on autonomic function. Using state-of-the-art electrical recording and optical imaging methods to study neuronal communication and anatomy, the functional organization of the viscera-related part of the brainstem will be determined, and the effects of hypocretin on that circuitry will be examined in the context of the chemical's reported general excitatory characteristics. Results of these experiments will lead to a better understanding of how neurons in the brainstem communicate with each other, as well as how chemical input from other brain areas can influence this communication. In addition, the results will help scientists better understand how neurons communicate with each other in general, and how various aspects of visceral function might be modified by chemicals acting within the brainstem.