Peptidergic Modulation of Synaptic Circuitry in the Dorsal Vagal Complex

[00:32 . 22]该项目的目的是促进对某些脑细胞如何沟通以处理来自内脏（即胃、肺、心脏等）的感觉的理解。内脏中的感觉神经直接与脑干下部的一小块区域内的一组被称为神经元的脑细胞交流。这些脑干神经元相互沟通，整合消化、心血管和其他自主神经功能。大脑其他区域产生的许多化学物质有助于调节这种交流，包括一种新发现的大脑化学物质下丘脑分泌素，它在大脑内起作用，通常会增加自主行为。这个项目的一般假设是下丘脑分泌素以一种与化学物质对自主神经功能的影响一致的方式改变脑干内特定类型的神经元通讯。使用最先进的电记录和光学成像方法来研究神经元通信和解剖学，脑干脏器相关部分的功能组织将被确定，下丘脑分泌素对该电路的影响将在化学物质报道的一般兴奋特性的背景下进行检查。这些实验的结果将有助于更好地理解脑干中的神经元是如何相互交流的，以及来自大脑其他区域的化学输入是如何影响这种交流的。此外，研究结果将帮助科学家更好地了解神经元之间的一般交流方式，以及脑干内作用的化学物质如何改变内脏功能的各个方面。

0080322SmithThe objective of this project is to advance understanding of how certain brain cells communicate in order to process sensation from the viscera (i.e., the stomach, lungs, heart, etc.). Sensory nerves in the viscera communicate directly with a set of brain cells, which are called neurons, in a small region of the lower part of the brainstem. These brainstem neurons communicate with each other to integrate digestive, cardiovascular and other autonomic functions. A number of chemicals made in other brain regions help regulate this communication, including a newly discovered brain chemical called hypocretin, which acts within the brain to generally increase autonomic behaviors. The general hypothesis of this project is that hypocretin modifies specific types of neuronal communication within the brainstem in a manner consistent with the chemical's effects on autonomic function. Using state-of-the-art electrical recording and optical imaging methods to study neuronal communication and anatomy, the functional organization of the viscera-related part of the brainstem will be determined, and the effects of hypocretin on that circuitry will be examined in the context of the chemical's reported general excitatory characteristics. Results of these experiments will lead to a better understanding of how neurons in the brainstem communicate with each other, as well as how chemical input from other brain areas can influence this communication. In addition, the results will help scientists better understand how neurons communicate with each other in general, and how various aspects of visceral function might be modified by chemicals acting within the brainstem.