Decomposition of the neuronal mechanisms of opioid receptor ligands-induced physiological responses

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project Area: Multi-scale platform for untangling physiological complexity
• Project/Area Number: 21H05114
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Transformative Research Areas (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Review Section: Transformative Research Areas, Section (II)
• Research Institution: University of Tsukuba
• Principal Investigator: Sakurai Katsuyasu 筑波大学, 国際統合睡眠医科学研究機構, 准教授 (70507920)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-08-23 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: cFos / 神経活動依存的標識法

Outline of Final Research Achievements

One of the primary goals of neuroscience is to elucidate how neural circuits, which are the neural substrates that generate behavior and physiological responses, process information. To achieve this, it is essential to identify specific population of neurons involved in behavior and physiological responses from the heterogeneous neuronal populations that constitute complex brain systems and to elucidate the information processing systems within those neurons. In this research project, we optimized the research tool to specifically label neurons activated in response to inputs (stimuli or drugs) and to analyze their functions, neural circuits, and gene expression. Furthermore, we developed this research tool to establish a system that labels neurons commonly activated in response to two different types of inputs.

Free Research Field

神経科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究の学術的意義は、神経回路がどのように情報処理を行い、行動や生理反応を生み出すかを解明する技術的進歩にある。特に、本研究で確立したシステム―二種類の異なる入力に対して、共通して活性化する神経細胞を標識するシステム―は特定の神経細胞を高精度で標識し、複雑な脳の情報処理機構を詳細に解析することを可能にする。社会的意義としては、この技術が中枢神経薬の副作用を減少させ、より特異的で効果的な治療薬の開発に貢献する可能性がある。特に、神経疾患や精神疾患の治療法の改善に役立ち、患者の生活の質向上に寄与することが期待される。