Action of neurotensin on ventral tegmental area neurons and glia

大脑中的神经元通过释放一种叫做神经递质的化学信使进行交流。一种关键的神经递质被称为多巴胺，它有助于调节动机行为，如饮食和性活动。因此，了解多巴胺的释放是如何在大脑中受到控制的是一个重要的兴趣。在目前的研究计划中，我们将评估产生多巴胺的神经元的活动是如何被一类称为神经肽的化学信使控制的。特别是，我们将研究肽神经紧张素如何刺激多巴胺神经元的活动。我们还将研究这种肽对星形胶质细胞的影响，星形胶质细胞是大脑中丰富的另一类细胞，与神经元相互作用，也对神经递质和神经肽作出反应。我们的工作将有助于更好地理解大脑中产生多巴胺的神经元的正常功能。这反过来又有助于更好地理解正常的大脑功能和行为。

Neurons in the brain communicate through the release of chemical messengers called neurotransmitters. One key neurotransmitter is called dopamine and contributes to the regulation of motivated behaviors such as eating and sexual activity. Understanding how the release of dopamine is controlled in the brain is thus of significant interest. In the present research program, we will evaluate how the activity of dopamine-producing neurons is controlled by a class of chemical messengers called neuropeptides. In particular, we will examine how the peptide neurotensin stimulates the activity of dopamine neurons. We will also examine the effects of this peptide on astrocytes, another class of cells that are abundant in the brain, that interact with neurons and that also respond to neurotransmitters and neuropeptides. Our work should lead to a better understanding of the normal function of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain. This could in turn contribute to a better understanding of normal brain function and behaviour.