STEROID ACTIONS ON NEURONAL OSCILLATORS

类固醇对神经元振荡器的作用

• 批准号: 2519901
• 负责人: GERALD T SMITH
• 金额: $ 2.44万
• 依托单位: UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 财政年份: 1997
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 1997-09-01 至
• 项目状态: 未结题
• 来源: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/2519901
• 关键词: alternatives to animals in research; androgen receptor; androgens; animal communication behavior; central nervous system; circadian rhythms; estrogen receptors; estrogens; fish; fish electric organ; hormone regulation /control mechanism; immunocytochemistry; membrane potentials; neural conduction; neuroendocrine system; neurons; reproduction; spinal cord; steroid hormone; steroid hormone receptor; voltage /patch clamp

Gonadal steroids regulate reproductive behavior in many vertebrate species, including humans. Much is known of how steroids mediate changes in anatomical attributes of brain regions controlling reproductive behavior. The complexity of these brain regions, however, has made it difficult to identify physiological mechanisms by which steroids activate and modify behavior. Investigating the actions of steroids on the biophysical properties of steroid-sensitive neurons is important to understand how steroid actions on neurons modify behavior. The neural circuit controlling the electric organ discharge of weakly electric fish is an ideal system in which to study steroid actions on neurons. These neural circuits are steroid-sensitive and relatively simple. It is therefore possible to analyze the biophysical properties of the neurons that comprise these circuits. The goals of this proposal are; (1) to map steroid receptors in the CNS of weakly electric fish and thus identify putative sites of steroid action; (2) to determine if steroids modify the electric organ discharge by changing the endogenous firing frequencies of neurons that control the behavior; and (3) to determine if steroids change the firing frequencies of these neurons by altering the density or kinetics of ionic conductances of these neurons. By addressing these questions, we will better understand how steroid actions on neurons modify behavior and how ionic conductances contribute to neuronal oscillations underlying rhythmic behaviors.

性腺类固醇调节着许多脊椎动物的生殖行为，