DOPAMINE FUNCTION IN MIDBRAIN

在子宫内接触乙醇的动物和人类表现出运动改变 活动和增加的觉醒。 基于广泛的临床和 临床前文献表明这些功能是 受中脑多巴胺（DA）系统的影响，我们假设 这些神经元系统可能会因产前乙醇暴露而改变。 该提案中详细说明的初步观察结果表明， 假设是正确的。 该提案详细介绍了对 子宫内乙醇暴露对多巴胺神经系统的影响。 它概述了一系列相互关联的研究，这些研究将检验变化 在突触前多巴胺神经元和突触后多巴胺敏感神经元中 细胞。 分析将包括详细调查 多巴胺神经元的数量和形态，多巴胺细胞的评估 电生理学（放电频率和模式），检查变化 多种多巴胺受体（多巴胺自身受体、D2 和 D1 受体），检查改变的 G 蛋白 mRNA 表达，分析 P 物质和甲啡肽 mRNA 表达的检测，以及 多巴胺转运蛋白。 结合电生理学， 免疫组织化学、生化和药理学方法 受雇。 希望所获得的发现能够提供新的 有关乙醇对表达的影响的信息 中脑多巴胺神经系统的正常成人特征。

Animals and humans exposed to ethanol in utero exhibit altered motor activity and increased arousal. Based on an extensive clinical and preclinical literature which indicates that these functions are influenced by mesencephalic dopamine (DA) systems, we hypothesized that these neuronal systems might be altered by prenatal ethanol exposure. Preliminary observations detailed within this proposal indicate that this hypothesis was correct. This proposal details a complete examination of the influence of in utero ethanol exposure on dopamine neuronal systems. It outlines a series of interrelated studies which will examine changes in both presynaptic dopamine neurons and postsynaptic dopamine-sensitive cells. The analyses will include the detailed investigation of the number and morphology of dopamine neurons, evaluation of dopamine cell electrophysiology (firing rate and pattern), examination of the changes in various dopamine receptors (dopamine autoreceptors, D2 and D1 receptors), examination of altered G-protein mRNA expression, analysis of substance P and met-enkephalin mRNA expression, and examination of the dopamine transporter. Combined electrophysiological, immunohistochemical, biochemical and pharmacological methods will be employed. It is hoped that the findings obtained will provide new information regarding the influence of ethanol on the expression of normal adult characteristics of mesencephalic dopamine neuronal systems.