Hormonal Modulation of the Nervous System During Metamorphosis

昆虫变态是一个神经系统 戏剧性地改变，使非常不同的有机体， 从幼虫中出现，以适合其 新的生活状况 这些明显的行为变化需要 神经元回路的惊人重组 单个细胞。 莱文博士跟踪了 机械感觉反射回路介导了一个非常不同的 不同生命阶段的行为反应。 使用创新 最先进的技术，他研究了 类固醇和肽类激素指导新突触的形成 并修改重要的细胞事件，这些事件反映在 行为模式的改变 最近的研究结果导致了 结论：成人神经系统自成年起就不是刚性的 神经元可以经历形态学变化。 莱文医生的发现 将增强我们对神经元活动的理解 可塑性 因此，他的工作有希望提供见解， 成年人的大脑是如何发生变化的，尤其是 与学习记忆和功能恢复的关系。

Insect metamorphosis is a time during which the nervous system is dramatically altered to allow the very different organism which emerges from the larva to behave in new ways appropriate to its new life situation. These pronounced changes in behavior require a striking reorganization of neuronal circuits and the properties of individual cells. Dr. Levine follows the changes in a mechanosensory reflex circuit that mediates a very different behavioral response at different life stages. Using innovative state-of-the-art techniques, he examines the mechanisms by which steroid and peptide hormones direct the formation of new synapses and modifies important cellular events which are reflected in the altered patterns of behavior. Recent findings have led to the conclusion that the adult nervous system is not rigid since adult neurons can undergo morphological changes. Dr. Levine's findings will enhance our understanding of the events underlying neuronal plasticity. Thus, his work holds promise of providing insights into how changes can occur in adult brains, especially with relationship to learning and memory and recovery of function.