CAREER: Neuropeptides and Motivated Behavior: Neuroethological Studies

许多目标导向的行为被认为是“动机性的”，因为它们的发生既取决于外在因素（如食物的存在），也取决于机体的内在状态（如饥饿或饱腹程度）。这项研究将特定脑细胞的活动和它们之间的联系与复杂的动机行为模式的产生联系起来。该项目关注的是一种叫做神经肽的化学物质的作用，这种物质在进食等动机行为中调节这些神经系统细胞的活动。这些研究是波多黎各圣胡安神经生物学研究所本科生暑期项目的一部分，因此研究项目的每一步都涉及本科生。大多数生物，包括人类，都表现出各种各样的动机行为。这个项目调查了控制这些行为的大脑机制的基本原理。通过将研究与本科生暑期研究项目相结合，该项目为学生提供了以前在主办机构无法获得的动手研究机会和经验。

Lay Abstract PI: Miller, Mark Proposal Number: IBN-9722349 Many goal-oriented behaviors are said to be "motivated" as their occurrence depends upon both extrinsic factors (such as the presence of food) and the intrinsic state of the organism (such as the level of hunger or satiety). This investigation relates the activities of specific brain cells and the connections between them to the generation of complex motivated patterns of behavior. The project focuses on the role of chemical substances called neuropeptides, which modulate the activity of these nervous system cells during motivated behavior such as eating. The studies are conducted as part of an undergraduate summer program at the Institute of Neurobiology in San Juan, Puerto Rico so that every step of the research program involves undergraduates. Most organisms, including humans, exhibit a variety of motivated behaviors. This project investigates the fundamental principles underlying the brain mechanisms controlling such behaviors. By coupling the research to the undergraduate summer research program, the project provides students with access to hands-on research opportunities and experiences that were previously inaccessible to students at the host institution.