Effect of Perinatal Nicotine Exposure on the Development of Autonomic Responses

描述（由申请人提供）：候选人需要在发育神经生物学方面的额外知识技能，以使她能够继续她的长期目标，即阐明影响婴儿健康和福祉的因素，并开发适合年龄的非侵入性测试，以识别婴儿猝死综合征（SIDS）风险最大的婴儿。该候选人将在杜克大学的Slotkin博士和哥伦比亚大学的Myers博士的指导下工作。这两位研究人员都是发育神经生物学领域的专家，在研究密集型机构工作，将为该计划的成功提供经验。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The candidate needs additional knowledge skills in developmental neurobiology to allow her to continue her long-term goals of elucidating factors that affect the health and well-being of infants, and to develop age appropriate, non-invasive tests that will identify infants who are at greatest risk for Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). For this proposal the candidate will work under the supervision of Dr. Slotkin, Duke University, and Dr. Myers, Columbia University. Both of these researchers are experts in the field of developmental neurobiology and work at research intensive institutions that will offer the experiences for the success of this plan. Candidate development: 1. Complete course work in neurobiology and developmental neurobiology. 2. Spend extensive time in the laboratory learning neurobiologic techniques. 3. Test the research Aims described below. 4. Develop the skills of collaboration, mentoring, leadership, and scientific writing. Nicotine exposure during pregnancy is responsible for many alterations of neurologic development including; behavioral disorders, depression, addiction, and SIDS. SIDS is the leading cause of infant mortality in developed countries. Infants born to mothers who smoke are 4 times more likely to die of SIDS. Substantial evidence from animal studies shows that nicotine produces impairment of brainstem and autonomic nervous system function consistent with SIDS and other developmental disabilities. The candidate will use an animal model she developed that accounts for environmental, developmental and age risk factors identified for SIDS deaths. Pilot data from this model have already shown an increase in mortality with perinatal nicotine exposure. Specific research aims: Aim 1: Verify the mortality found in pilot data in the nicotine/influenza/endotoxin model Aim 2: Establish procedures for assessing autonomic and blood pressure responses Aim 3: Determine the autonomic/cardiovascular mechanisms underlying the decreased survival. Aim 4: Examine specific actions of autonomic response by blocking sympathetic or parasympathetic pathways with pharmacologic agents.