NEUROSCIENCE CENTER FOR INGESTIVE BEHAVIOR

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Ingestive behavior is a major factor in predisposing to a variety of diseases, but the neurohumoral mechanisms responsible for ingestive behavior are not well understood. An understanding of those mechanisms may lead to new strategies for controlling ingestive behaviors that are risk factors for specific diseases. This is a five component multi-investigator program that involves several institutions. The objectives are to develop a better understanding of the following 1. Neurohumoral organization of ingestive behavior in a mouse model. 2. Salt-sensitivity of blood pressure in a chimpanzee model. 3. Appetite mechanisms in humans and in a baboon model. 4. Neurohumoral control of salt and water intake in a baboon model. 5. Bran receptor mechanisms in a baboon model. Projects 2 and 4 are conducted at the SRPRC. The preliminary results for Project 2 support the hypothesis that an increase in dietary salt causes a significant elevation of blood pressure within 9 months, and the effect is reversible when the animals are returned to a low salt diet. Preliminary results for Project 4 support the hypothesis that hormonal factors related to renal salt and water homeostasis are important in regulating salt intake behavior in primates. It is expected that the results will provide sufficient date to enable future research on the physiological mechanisms that control salt appetite and the underlying genetic factors that control these mechanisms.