Neurochemical Mediators of Appetite

调节摄食控制的神经内分泌机制是一个根本的重要问题，但尚未得到很好的理解。众所周知，对食物消耗的控制取决于几种神经化学物质之间复杂的相互作用，包括神经肽和甾体激素。基于广泛的神经生物学数据，Deviche博士假设阿片类药物与下丘脑特定脑细胞内的雄激素相互作用，下丘脑是调节行为的重要神经结构。为了验证这一理论，他将使用神经解剖学、生物化学和行为学方法的结合。实验将确定阿片肽影响进食的特定下丘脑核，以及这些肽与睾丸激素（主要睾丸雄激素）相互作用的位置。此外，阿拉斯加大学的独特环境使Deviche博士能够利用季节性繁殖的候鸟物种作为他的模型，这些鸟类的睾丸激素会经历极端的季节性变化。他将建立中枢神经系统阿片受体密度与血浆雄激素浓度变化之间的关系。这些数据很可能最终对我们理解人类饮食失调具有重要意义。例如，神经性厌食症是一种危及生命的饮食失调，有证据表明它与阿片类药物和内分泌功能障碍有关。

The neuroendocrine mechanisms that regulate the control of feeding is a fundamentally important problem that is not well understood. It is known that control of food consumption depends on complex interactions between several types of neurochemicals, including neuropeptides and steroidal hormones. Based on extensive neurobiological data, Dr. Deviche hypothesizes that opioids interact with androgens within specific brain cells of the hypothalamus, an important neural structure for regulatory behaviors. To test this theory, he will use a combination of neuroanatomical, biochemical and behavioral approaches. Experiments will identify the specific hypothalamic nuclei that opioid peptides act to influence feeding, and where these peptides interact with respect to testosterone, the major testicular androgen. Moreover, the unique environment at the University of Alaska enables Dr. Deviche to utilize a seasonally breeding, migratory avian species that undergo extreme seasonal changes in testosterone as his model. He will establish the relationship between density of CNS opioid receptors and variations within plasma concentrations of this androgen. It is likely that these data could ultimately have significance for our understanding of human eating disorders. For example, anorexia nervosa is a life-threatening eating disorder for which there is some evidence for opioid and endocrine dysfunctions.