Confocal Imaging for Neuropsychiatric Research

简介（由申请人提供）：麦克莱恩医院的邮差研究中心（MRC）是我们神经精神疾病病因和治疗转化研究的关键组成部分。MRC成像设施必须用最先进的仪器取代我们过时的徕卡共聚焦显微镜。这将增强我们在调节涉及情感和认知的复杂神经回路的神经元亚群中进行细胞和分子机制共定位研究的能力。MRC正在进行的工作重点是皮质边缘回路被认为在患有严重精神病、情绪和焦虑症、创伤后应激、发育障碍和神经退行性疾病的患者中功能失调。本提案描述了徕卡TCS SP5共聚焦显微镜的需求。该仪器将为MRC研究人员提供广泛的成像能力。我们目前有JEOL 1200EX电子显微镜和徕卡共聚焦显微镜；这两种仪器都是通过两项单独的NIH共享仪器拨款购买的。在一九八五年购置电子影像设备时，我们成立了一个用户委员会，自那时起，该委员会便成为影像设备的管理机构。如果这个申请是成功的，我们的用户委员会将协调使用和维护新的共聚焦显微镜。自1985年以来，为支持我们的成像设施制定了一项财政计划，并将进行修订，以涵盖新的仪器。从历史上看，麦克莱恩医院为该设施提供了额外的支持，并将继续这样做。拟议设备的采购将确保McLean医院的MRC能够保持神经精神疾病研究的“前沿”研究项目。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The Mailman Research Center (MRC) at McLean Hospital is a critical component to our translational studies of the causes and treatments of neuropsychiatric disorders. The MRC Imaging Facility must replace our outmoded Leica confocal microscope with a state-of-the-art instrument. This will enhance our ability to perform co- localization studies of cellular and molecular mechanisms within neuronal subpopulations that regulate complex neural circuits involved in emotion and cognition. Ongoing work in the MRC focuses on corticolimbic circuits believed to be dysfunctional in patients with major psychoses, mood and anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress, development disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. This proposal describes the need for a Leica TCS SP5 confocal microscope. This instrument will provide MRC investigators with a broad array of imaging capabilities. We currently have JEOL 1200EX electron microscope and a Leica confocal microscope; both were purchased with funds awarded through two separate NIH Shared Instrumentation Grants. In 1985, when the EM was procured, we established a Users Committee and this has served as a governing body for the Imaging Facility since that time. If this application is successful, our Users Committee will coordinate the use and maintenance of the new confocal microscope. Since 1985, a financial plan for the support of our Imaging Facility has been in place and will be amended to cover the new instrumentation. Historically, McLean Hospital has provided additional support for this facility and will continue to do so. The procurement of the proposed equipment will ensure that the MRC at McLean Hospital will be able to maintain a "cutting edge" research program for the study of neuropsychiatric disorders. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: McLean Hospital has a multidisciplinary research program directed at the study of psychosis, mood and anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress, development disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. The productivity of this program is dependent upon the availability of state-of-the-art imaging technology for visualizing neuronal circuitry both structurally and functionally. This proposal describes our need for a new sophisticated confocal imaging instrument that will allow us to function at the "cutting edge" of psychiatric neuroscience where it will be possible to develop innovative new approaches to the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders.