NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY OF SALT APPETITE AND BLOOD PRESSURE

本提案是对ADAMHA研究科学家的申请 发展奖（一级）。一个有监督的培训计划， 建议进行研究，通过研究，候选人将学习 神经内分泌底物的遗传和环境来源 自我平衡的行为和生理过程的变化。 继续指导定量放射自显影图像分析和 将提供分子生物学方法的广泛培训， 顾问，并辅以讲习班和课程。的一部分 建议的培训和研究，候选人将调查 脑醛固酮结合与脑血管紧张素原基因的关系 控制模型激励行为（盐消耗）的表达式 和调节的生理过程（循环）。遗传 对这些过程的影响将通过分析研究， 行为、生理和神经内分泌的表型变异 在选择性品系间和品系内纯合 具有良好表征的行为和生理表型的大鼠。 环境对盐的食欲，循环，大脑的影响 将评估醛固酮结合和血管紧张素原基因表达 钠耗竭挑战后，或母体行为中断后，或 断奶前的钠平衡。心理健康的相关性 拟议的研究源于它将提供的见解， 遗传和环境对自我平衡行为的影响， 神经内分泌机制，通过这些影响是介导的。 在拟议工作中提供的培训将为候选人提供 重要的分子神经科学技术， 在未来的心理生物学研究中的应用。

This proposal is an application for an ADAMHA Research Scientist Development Award (Level I). A program of supervised training and research is proposed, through which the candidate will study neuroendocrine substrates of genetic and environmental sources of variance in homeostatic behavioral and physiological processes. Continued instruction in quantitative autoradiographic image analysis and extensive training in molecular biological methods will be provided by Advisors, and supplemented by workshops and courses. As part of the proposed training and research, the Candidate will investigate the relationship of brain aldosterone binding and brain angiotensinogen gene expression to control of a model motivated behavior (salt consumption) and a regulated physiological process (the circulation). Genetic influences on these processes will be studied through analysis of phenotypic variation in behavior, physiology and neuroendocrinology subsequent to selective inter-and intra-strain breeding of homozygous rats with well characterized behavioral and physiological phenotypes. Environmental influences on salt appetite, the circulation, brain aldosterone binding and angiotensinogen gene expression will be evaluated after sodium depletion challenges, or disruption of maternal behavior or sodium balance in the preweaning period. The mental health relevance of the proposed research derives from the insights that it will provide into genetic and environmental influences on homeostatic behavior and possible neuroendocrine mechanisms through which these influences are mediated. The training provided in the proposed work will provide the Candidate with important molecular neuroscience techniques that will have broad applicability in future psychobiological research.