DEVELOPMENT OF HYPOTHALAMIC NEURONS IN VITRO

下丘脑可以被认为是大脑内的轨迹 动态平衡的整合与控制。这项研究的目的是 这个项目是为了了解环境和遗传影响的作用 关于下丘脑神经元发育的研究 内分泌调节。危重期间激素水平的变化 发育期在内分泌调节方面产生重大缺陷 成人，表明发育过程中的环境影响可以 对下丘脑神经元的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，可溶性营养和生长因子，以及 神经元膜电位。这项研究使用了分离的细胞培养。 下丘脑作为一个简化的模型系统，在这个系统中生长和 可以观察和量化下丘脑神经元的发育。 用定量的方法测量神经元在培养中的存活和生长 基于计算机的形态测量技术，而基因的合成 使用生化和免疫细胞化学技术对产品进行测量。 由于进行离散更改而导致的这些参数的更改 在神经元环境中培养将提供洞察力的作用 这些影响。在正常的下丘脑发育中。

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.