Analyses of neural change of female mice

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17K14948
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Neurophysiology / General neuroscience
• Research Institution: Institute of Physical and Chemical Research
• Principal Investigator: Goto Hiroko 国立研究開発法人理化学研究所, 生命機能科学研究センター, 研究員 (30729207)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: メスマウス / 神経活性

Outline of Final Research Achievements

I examined the relationship between the sleep/wake status and neural activity during the estrus cycles. For that purpose, I measured the sleep/wake status of each mouse and analyzed the neural activity of the whole brain by a tissue clearing method. These analyses discovered widespread brain regions associated with estrus cycles and sleep/wake status.
I also examined the neural connectivity change during pregnancy and postpartum period. I identified the change in number of mono-synaptic input neurons during pregnancy and postpartum period. I also observed the neural activity during the birth and breastfeeding.

Free Research Field

神経科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

女性のコンディションは月経、妊娠、閉経などライフイベントによって大きく左右される。このような女性特有のライフイベントにおける脳内の仕組みを解決することは、より多くの女性が活躍できる社会づくりにつながる可能性がある。