源自下丘脑的中枢orexin能神经系统广泛参与了包括心血管调控在内的多种非躯体性活动的调节。虽然我们最近的研究（Neuron，2011）揭示该系统直接参与躯体运动的调控，但对其作为全脑功能调节者在机体的躯体-非躯体反应整合中发挥的重要功能还缺乏了解。同时，一直以来对orexin能神经系统生理功能的研究忽视了下丘脑后区这一重要起源，而该脑区与心血管活动与躯体运动的协调密切相关。因此，本研究拟从整合生理学角度，结合分子、电生理、光遗传和行为学等方法，从分子-细胞-神经元环路-整体动物行为水平上系统研究下丘脑后区orexin能神经元在心血管调控中的功能及其神经环路和离子机制，并揭示它们在心血管活动与运动行为协调整合中的作用。研究结果将不仅有助于在基础理论上深入理解中枢orexin能神经系统的心血管调控功能与机体的躯体-非躯体反应整合机制，也有助于临床心血管疾病治疗新策略、新靶点和新药物的研发。

Central orexinergic system, originating from the hypothalamus, is extensively involved in modulation of various nonsomatic functions, including cardiovascular regulation. Although our recent study (Neuron, 2011) reveals that the orexinergic system, as a modulator for whole brain activity, also directly participates in somatic motor control, a key position of the system in somatic-nonsomatic integration still remains enigmatic. On the other hand, studies on physiological functions of orexin neglect the posterior hypothalamic area, one of the origins of central orexinergic system and a structure responsible for coordination of cardiovascular activities and somatic movements. Therefore, on integrative physiological viewpoint, we will employ molecular, immunostaining, electrophysiological, pharmacological, optogenetic and behavioral techniques to study the function of orexinergic neurons in the cardiovascular regulation and the underlying neural circuitry and ionic mechanism, at molecular, neuronal, circuit, and behavioral levels. Furthermore, the role of posterior hypothalamic orexinergic neurons in integration of cardiovascular activities and motor behaviors is particularly focused on. The results will not only contribute to our understanding of cardiovascular function of central orexinergic system and the neural mechanism of somatic-nonsomatic integration in basic theory, but also help to develop novel clinical strategies and new targets for treatment of cardiovascular diseases from a new perspective.