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 传入神经元传递有关这些不同的信息， 刺激如血压、胃扩张、细支气管 刺激和血液氧合的中枢神经系统。 的目的 项目是定义这些内脏的化学神经解剖学 感觉神经元位于结节和岩骨 神经节 这包括对神经递质的研究， 分布和与CNS和外周投射的相关性， 神经递质的共存和调节 内容和表达。 我们目前的假设认为， 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 传递者，个体中传递者的表达 神经元依赖于神经元活动的水平， 神经支配的靶器官。 支持或反对这一点的证据 通过研究发射器共存，将得到假设 在结状神经节和岩神经节中，确定了共- 与神经支配器官相关的存在，定位mRNA 编码神经递质的前体， 随后确定发射机内容的变化或 mRNA水平发生在内脏传入神经元的变化后， 神经元活动的连接。 这些技术中使用的 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 测定和体内药理学方法。 这些研究将提供有关细胞神经生物学的信息， 内脏感觉神经元中的递质系统， 有助于理解和治疗的紊乱， 自主控制心血管、呼吸和 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.