Androgen-Dependent Plasticity of Motoneurons

9421695 William F.柯林斯 一般来说，中枢神经系统细胞由于环境或化学队列而重新配置其结构和联系的能力对于学习，记忆，行为和大脑功能至关重要。 发生在中枢神经系统的重建被定义为可塑性。 此外，性腺激素（如雄激素）对大脑结构和功能的影响才刚刚开始变得明显。 然而，其他研究表明，这些强大的激素对神经元的正常功能至关重要，它们的丢失会导致萎缩和细胞丢失。 柯林斯博士将使用一个特征良好的运动神经元模型系统，探讨性腺雄激素缺乏对中枢神经系统运动神经元的解剖和电生理后果。 最初，柯林斯博士将评估雄激素戒断前后运动神经元的电生理特性及其解剖结构，在某些情况下，最后一次暴露于雄激素后长达6个月。 具体而言，将检查树突之间的雄激素依赖性。 最后，柯林斯博士将通过电驱动突触前细胞来检查突触输入到已识别的运动神经元的功效，并评估在存在或不存在雄激素的情况下它们的突触后影响。 这些研究将揭示类固醇激素对脑运动神经元作用的新机制，并开始阐明雄激素依赖性神经元可塑性的机制。 虽然对神经可塑性在脑功能中的作用知之甚少，但性腺类固醇激素在重组关键脑中心的能力方面是有效的，这些脑中心可能对人类和所有物种的学习和记忆等关键任务至关重要。

9421695 William F. Collins The ability of the central nervous system cells to reconfigure their structure and contacts as result of environmental or chemical queues is paramount to learning, memory, behavior and brain function, in general. Reconstruction occurring in the central nervous system is defined as plasticity. Moreover, the impact of gonadal hormones, such as androgens, on brain structure and function is only beginning to become evident. However, other studies suggest that these powerful hormones are essential for the normal function of neurons and their loss results in atrophy and cell loss. Dr. Collins will use a well-characterized motoneuron model system to explore the anatomical and electrophysiological consequences of gonadal androgen deficiency on central nervous system motoneurons. Initially, Dr. Collins will assess the electrophysiological properties of motoneurons and their anatomical structure before and after androgen withdrawal, in some cases up to 6 months after the last exposure to androgens. Specifically, androgen dependence among dendrites will be examined. Finally, Dr. Collins will examine the efficacy of synaptic inputs to the identified motoneurons by electrically driving presynaptic cells and assess their post-synaptic influence in the presence or absence of androgens. These studies will reveal novel mechanisms of steroid hormone action on brain motoneurons and begin to elucidate mechanisms of androgen-dependent neuron plasticity. While little is understood about the role of neural plasticity in brain function, gonadal steroid hormones are effective in their ability to reorganize the critical brain centers that may be essential for such critical tasks as learning and memory in man and all species alike.