PROPERTIES OF OLFACTORY RECEPTORS--NEURAL REGENERATION

头部损伤是导致嗅觉障碍的主要原因之一， 嗅觉功能。嗅神经受损被认为是导致 通过阻止传入信号到达大脑而导致嗅觉丧失 (嗅球)。不幸的是，这些人几乎没有希望 嗅觉障碍。拟议的项目提供了一个独特的机会 目的：研究嗅觉系统的去传入和恢复。 实验将确定恢复感觉所需的参数 功能。嗅神经纤维具有惊人的能力 损伤后的再生和修复，并能重建感觉 与嗅球的连接。在这项研究中，特氟龙屏障将 用于控制轴突的数量和空间分布 重新建立与灯泡的连接。行为测试将确定 气味检测和气味辨别的功能恢复。遗传 标志物将标记并追踪特定的气味受体到他们的 嗅球的投射部位。这项研究的目标是 提高我们对嗅觉空间组织的理解 系统和确定传入投射在恢复中的作用 嗅觉功能。理解或预测功能的能力 康复可能具有重要的临床意义。由此产生的结果 这项研究可以为未来治疗的发展提供基础 帮助恢复或改善嗅觉功能的策略。

Head injury is one of the leading causes of ANOSMIA, the loss of olfactory function. Damage to the olfactory nerves is thought to cause anosmia by preventing afferent signals from reaching the brain (olfactory bulbs). Unfortunately, little hope is offered to those with olfactory impairment. The proposed project provides a unique opportunity to investigate deafferentation and recovery in the olfactory system. Experiments will determine the parameters needed to restore sensory function. Olfactory nerve fibers have a remarkable capacity for regeneration and repair following injury and can reestablish sensory connections with the olfactory bulb. In this study Teflon barriers will be used to control the number and spatial distribution of axons that reestablish connections with the bulb. Behavioral testing will determine functional recovery of odor detection and odor discrimination. Genetic markers will label and trace specific odorant receptors to their projection sites in the olfactory bulb. The goal of this research is to improve our understanding of the spatial organization of the olfactory system and determine the role of afferent projections in the recovery of olfactory function.The ability to understand or predict functional recovery could have important clinical implications. Results from this study could provide a foundation for the development of future treatment strategies to help restore or improve olfactory function.