NEUROTRANSMITTERS AND VISCERAL SENSORY NEURONS

迷走神经和舌咽神经的内脏感觉神经元 支配胸部和腹部的主要器官系统。这些 传入神经元传递关于这种不同的信息 血压、胃胀、细支气管炎等刺激 对中枢神经系统的刺激和血液充氧。这样做的目的是 项目是定义这些内脏的化学神经解剖学 位于结节和岩部的感觉神经元 神经节。这包括对神经递质、它们的 中枢神经和外周投射的分布及其相互关系 神经递质共存与递质调节 内容和表达。我们目前的假说认为 结状神经节和岩神经节的内脏感觉神经元 多种神经递质和共存的组合 递质，以及递质在个体中的表达 神经元依赖于神经元的活动水平，并依赖于 神经支配的靶器官。支持或反对这一点的证据 假说将通过研究发射机共存而得到 在结状神经节和岩神经节中，确定的联合- 与神经支配器官有关的存在，定位于mRNA 它编码神经递质的前体，以及 随后确定发射机内容的变化或 内脏传入神经元中存在以下变化的mRNA水平 在神经元活动的连接性上。这些技术中使用的技术 研究包括：免疫细胞化学逆行追踪 技术，原位杂交组织化学，神经递质 化验和体内药理学方法。 这些研究将提供细胞神经生物学的信息。 内脏感觉神经元的递质系统 有助于理解和治疗神经管紊乱。 心血管、呼吸和心脏的自主控制 胃肠道系统。

Visceral sensory neurons of the vagus and glossopharyngeal nerves innervate the major organ systems of the thorax and abdomen. These afferent neurons transmit information concerning such diverse stimuli as blood pressure, gastric distention, bronchiolar irritation and blood oxygenation to the CNS. The objective of this project is to define the chemical neuroanatomy of these visceral sensory neurons which are located in the nodose and petrosal ganglia. This includes studies of neurotransmitters, their distribution and correlation with CNS and peripheral projections, neurotransmitter co-existence, and the regulation of transmitter content and expression. Our current hypothesis proposes that visceral sensory neurons of the nodose and petrosal ganglia use multiple neurotransmitters and combinations of co-existence transmitters, and that the expression of transmitter in individual neurons is dependent upon the level of neuronal activity, and upon the target organ of innervation. Evidence for or against this hypothesis will be obtained by studying transmitter co-existence in the nodose and petrosal ganglia, determining patterns of co- existence in relation to the organ of innervation, localizing mRNA which encodes for precursors of the neurotransmitters, and subsequently determining whether changes in transmitter content or mRNA levels occur in visceral afferent neurons following changes in neuronal activity of connectivity. The techniques used in these studies include: immunocytochemistry retrograde tracing techniques, in situ hybridization histochemistry, neurotransmitter assays, and in vivo pharmacological approaches. These studies will provide information on the cellular neurobiology of transmitter systems in visceral sensory neurons which will be useful in the understanding and treatment of derangements of the autonomic control of the cardiovascular, respiratory, and gastrointestinal systems.