fMRI Assessment of Organophosphate Neurotoxicity

描述(由申请人提供) 本申请包含一个为期四年的生理学和医学学术生涯发展研究培训计划。这位候选人于2002年在马萨诸塞大学医学院完成了急诊医学实习，并继续在该大学履行研究、教学和临床职责。所描述的培训计划旨在为应聘者提供必要的教学和实践经验，使他成为有机磷生理学领域的独立研究员。 这项研究的科学目的集中在描述有机磷化合物对中枢神经系统的生理影响。这位候选人选择了克雷格·F·费里斯博士作为这个项目的导师。作为该大学比较神经成像中心的主任，Ferris博士在中枢神经系统生理学和功能磁共振成像(FMRI)方面拥有丰富的经验。为了进一步加强他的培训，候选人将定期与他所在机构的呼吸神经科医生和生物物理学家会面。候选人的研究工作将集中在确定有机磷制剂对呼吸作用产生影响的机制上。重点将放在确定：1)呼吸中心通过功能磁共振成像对有机磷的反应，有无解毒剂治疗；2)皮质输入在呼吸抑制中的作用；以及3)外周信号在调节呼吸中的作用。 马萨诸塞大学医学院生理学和急诊医学系的合并是这笔赠款的理想场所，将为伯德博士提供必要的设施、设备和专业知识，以实现本提案中提出的目标。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant) This application contains a four-year research training program for the development of an academic career in physiology and medicine. The candidate completed an emergency medicine residency at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in 2002 and has continued to perform research, teaching and clinical duties at the university. The described training program is designed to provide the candidate with the didactic and practical experience necessary for him to become an independent investigator in the field of organophosphate physiology. The scientific aims of this investigation focus on characterizing the central nervous system physiologic effects of organophosphorus compounds. The candidate has chosen Dr. Craig F. Ferris Ph.D. as a mentor for this project. As Director of the Center for Comparative Neuro-lmaging at the university, Dr. Ferris has extensive experience in CNS physiology and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). To further augment his training, the candidate will meet regularly with a respiratory neurologist and a biophysicist at his institution. The candidate's research efforts will focus on determining the mechanism by which organophosphorus agents exert their effects on respiration. Specific emphasis will be placed on determining: 1) the respiratory centers' response to organophosphates via fMRI imaging, with and without antidotal treatment; 2) the role of cortical inputs in the respiratory depression; and 3) the role of peripheral signals in modulating respiration. The combined Departments of Physiology and Emergency Medicine at the University of Massachusetts Medical School are an ideal setting for this grant and will provide Dr. Bird with the facilities, equipment and expertise necessary to achieve the goals set forth in this proposal.