Elucidation of extracellular molecular brain pathology related to stress-related affective disorder

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project Area: Innovative nanotechnology for probing molecular landscapes in the brain
• Project/Area Number: 21H05091
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Transformative Research Areas (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Review Section: Transformative Research Areas, Section (II)
• Research Institution: Nagoya University
• Principal Investigator: Takemoto-Kimura Sayaka (木村さやか) 名古屋大学, 環境医学研究所, 教授 (70372365)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 宮田 茂雄 日本薬科大学, 薬学部, 准教授 (40366836)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-08-23 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: ストレス / 情動障害 / マイクロダイアリシス / イメージング

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Emotions generated by the brain (anxiety, fear, pleasure, etc.) are essential for the survival of animals. Various stresses in modern society are known to lead to some dysfunctions in emotional responses, which are considered to be involved in the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric diseases such as depression, PTSD, and anxiety disorders. In this research, using animal models for emotional disorders, we conducted multifaced analysis,including behavioral and transcriptomic analysis. Furthermore, in order to specifically detect changes in extracellular molecules and find associated changes in neural activity, we developed and performed deep brain imaging and microdialysis were conducted to elucidate alterations in extracellular molecules. By these methods, we aimed to elucidate the molecular pathology of emotional disorders associated with stress.

Free Research Field

分子神経科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では、独自に開発した病態モデルを含めた様々な情動異常を示すモデルマウスを対象とし、多階層の病態解明を推進した。情動の変化は、様々な神経・精神疾患で認められ、患者本人や周囲にも多大な損失を与えるため、その病態解明は喫緊の課題である。本研究により病態モデルが開発されその研究基盤が整備されるとともに、病態の一端が解明された。