The effects of the augmented non-neuronal cardiac cholinergic system on the central nervous system

2018 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16K08560
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: General pharmacology
• Research Institution: Nippon Medical School
• Principal Investigator: Kakinuma Yoshihiko 日本医科大学, 大学院医学研究科, 大学院教授 (40233944)
• Research Collaborator: Muramoto Kazuyo ; Nemoto Takahiro ; Sugama Shuei ; Mano Asuka ; Ohata Hisayuki ; Tsuda Masayuki
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2019-03-31
• Keywords: アセチルコリン / 心臓 / 心筋細胞 / エネルギー代謝 / 中枢神経系

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Augmentation of the non-neuronal cardiac cholinergic system (NNCCS) plays a role in modifying the central nervous system (CNS) through the ascending vagus nerve, which is triggered to be activated by increased NO production in the heart. The CNS effects of NNCCS includes anti-anxiety like, anti-depression like, and anti-stress like effects as well as anti-convulsive effect. These effects induced by activated NNCCS means that the heart-brain axis, not the brain-to axis, exists when the NNCCS is activated. Therefore, NNCCS can be a crucial player to modify the CNS function. The ChAT gene overexpressing mice (ChAT tg) are considered to be mice, which seem to be subjected to vagus nerve stimulation.

Free Research Field

循環生理

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

心筋細胞でアセチルコリン(ACh)を産生するSystem（NNCCS)が、心臓のみならず中枢神経系にも大きな効果（抗不安、抗うつ、抗ストレス、抗痙攣誘発性）を引き起こすことが、明らかとなった。このことは、このシステムを亢進させると、現代病でもある、ストレスをより感じにくくし余計な負荷を中枢神経系にかけなくてすむことを示唆している。したがって、心臓のこのシステムを鍛えることが、健康増進させる手段となることを物語っている。