DEVELOPMENT OF HYPOTHALAMIC NEURONS IN VITRO

下丘脑可以被认为是大脑内的中枢， 体内平衡的整合和控制。 本研究的目的 该项目旨在了解环境和遗传影响的作用 下丘脑神经元的发育， 内分泌调节 关键期激素水平的变化 发育期内产生内分泌调节的主要缺陷， 成年人，这表明在发展过程中的环境影响， 对下丘脑神经元存活和功能有长期影响。 发育过程中的主要环境影响包括细胞/细胞 相互作用，可溶性营养因子和生长因子，以及 神经元膜电位 这项研究使用分离的细胞培养物 下丘脑作为一个简化的模型系统，其中的生长和 可以观察和量化下丘脑神经元的发育。 使用定量方法测量培养物中的神经元存活和生长。 基于计算机的形态测量技术，而基因的合成 使用生物化学和免疫细胞化学技术测量产物。 这些参数的变化是由于进行离散的改变 在培养的神经元环境中， 这些影响。正常的下丘脑发育。

The hypothalamus can be considered as the locus within the brain for the integration and control of homeostasis. The objective of this research project is to understand the role of environmental and genetic influences on the development of neurons in the hypothalamus which are involved in endocrine regulation. Alterations in hormone levels during critical periods of development produce major deficits in endocrine regulation in the adult, suggesting that environmental influences during development can have long-term effects on hypothalamic neuronal survival and function. Major environmental influences during development include cell/cell interactions, soluble trophic and growth factors, and alterations in neuronal membrane potential. This research uses dissociated cell cultures of hypothalamus as a simplified model system in which the growth and development of hypothalamic neurons can be observed and quantified. Neuronal survival and growth in culture are measured using quantitative computer-based morphometric techniques, while the synthesis of gene products is measured using biochemical and immunocytochemical techniques. Alterations in these parameters as a result of making discrete alterations in the neuronal environment in culture will provide insight into the role of these influences. in normal hypothalamic development.