Peptidergic mediation/modulation of stress response

应激反应的肽能介导/调节

• 批准号: 2595-2010
• 负责人: Merali, Zul
• 金额: $ 3.64万
• 依托单位: University of Ottawa
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2014
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2014-01-01 至 2015-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=544050
• 关键词: Peptidergic; mediation; modulation; stress; response

The long-term objective of this research program is to better understand how the brain interprets various types of stressors and coordinates internal bodily responses as well as behavioral outputs to cope with the stressors. It is of course clear that adequate responses to stressors serve to protect the organism. Conversely, inadequate responses to stressors are thought to result in bodily damage, either due to failure to protect the body from stressor-elicited deleterious effects and/or mobilization of a cascade of responses that directly harms the body. In this project, rats will be exposed to stressors of various types including: (a) psychological stressors (e.g. exposure of a rat to its predator, the cat or ferret), (b) restraint stress (which has psychological as well as physical attributes), and (c) direct physiological stressors (e.g. exposure to immune-type stressors), and the responses of the rats monitored. We have deliberately selected to study these types of naturalistic stressors, as they are ethologically sound and more likely to yield heuristically and practically useful information. The brain utilizes various chemical signals (neurotransmitters) to communicate not only with the rest of the body but also between different regions of the brain itself. One particular class of such transmitter molecules that seem important in responding to stress are small hormone-like molecules called peptides. We are able to monitor the release of various brain transmitters/peptides, in freely behaving animals - without them being 'aware' of this process. We will also monitor the release of various hormones and assess the level of anxiety/fear in these animals. Indeed, stressor exposure (be it illness-related, psychological or physical) often results in other disorders or diseases, including depression, anxiety disorders and/or cardiovascular diseases. It is hoped that a better understanding of how the brain chemically interprets and reacts to various stressors may shed new light on how to manage or cope with stressors most effectively and how to correct or treat maladaptive stress responses.

这项研究计划的长期目标是更好地了解大脑如何解释各种类型的压力源，并协调内部身体反应以及行为输出以科普压力源。 当然，很明显，对压力源的适当反应有助于保护机体。相反，对压力源的反应不足被认为会导致身体损伤，这是由于未能保护身体免受压力源引起的有害影响和/或动员直接伤害身体的级联反应。 在该项目中，大鼠将暴露于各种类型的应激源，包括：（a）心理应激源（例如，大鼠暴露于其捕食者，猫或雪貂），（B）束缚应激（具有心理和物理属性），以及（c）直接生理应激源（例如，暴露于免疫型应激源），并监测大鼠的反应。我们特意选择研究这些类型的自然主义压力源，因为它们在行为学上是合理的，更有可能产生理论上和实际上有用的信息。大脑利用各种化学信号（神经递质）不仅与身体的其他部分进行交流，而且还在大脑本身的不同区域之间进行交流。在对压力做出反应的过程中，一类特殊的递质分子似乎很重要，它们是一种叫做肽的小分子，类似于蜜蜂。我们能够监测各种大脑递质/肽的释放，在自由行为的动物-没有他们被'意识到'这一过程。我们还将监测各种激素的释放，并评估这些动物的焦虑/恐惧水平。 事实上，压力源暴露（无论是与疾病有关的、心理上的还是身体上的）往往会导致其他障碍或疾病，包括抑郁症、焦虑症和/或心血管疾病。人们希望，更好地了解大脑如何化学解释和反应各种压力源可以揭示新的光如何管理或科普压力源最有效，以及如何纠正或治疗适应不良的压力反应。