PROPERTIES OF OLFACTORY RECEPTORS--NEURAL REGENERATION

头部受伤是导致厌食症的主要原因之一， 嗅觉功能嗅觉神经的损伤被认为会导致 嗅觉丧失通过阻止传入信号到达大脑 （嗅球）。不幸的是，很少有希望提供给那些 嗅觉障碍拟议的项目提供了一个独特的机会， 研究嗅觉系统的传入神经阻滞和恢复。 实验将确定恢复感官所需的参数 功能 嗅觉神经纤维具有非凡的能力， 损伤后的再生和修复，可以重建感觉 与嗅球的联系在这项研究中，特氟隆屏障将 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决定 气味检测和气味辨别的功能恢复。 遗传 标记物将标记和追踪特定的气味受体， 嗅球中的投射部位。 这项研究的目的是 提高我们对嗅觉空间结构的理解 系统，并确定传入投射在恢复的作用， 嗅觉功能。理解或预测功能的能力 恢复可能具有重要的临床意义。结果从这个 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.