Elucidation of neuronal mechanisms of brain-body interaction using neuronal pathway-specific pharmacology and in vivo neuroimaging

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K22477
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Research (Exploratory)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Medium-sized Section 47:Pharmaceutical sciences and related fields
• Research Institution: Hokkaido University
• Principal Investigator: MINAMI Masabumi 北海道大学, 薬学研究院, 教授 (20243040)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-06-28 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: 脳身連関 / 情動 / 循環器系 / 消化器系 / 分界条床核

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We found that inhibition of neurons projecting from the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) to the lateral hypothalamus (LH) induced anxiety-like behaviors, and that neuronal circuits within the BNST are involved in the inhibitory regulation of LH-projecting BNST neurons. Increased neuronal activity in the BNST may suppress LH-projecting BNST neurons, thereby inducing anxiety-like behaviors. Further studies are needed to examine whether this neuronal pathway is involved in anxiety-like behaviors observed in various pathological conditions. In addition, in order to clarify the pathological mechanisms of anxiety-induced heart rate elevation and gastrointestinal dysfunction, it is necessary to elucidate the neural circuits that project from the LH to the pons and medulla oblongata, the brain regions regulating autonomic functions.

Free Research Field

神経薬理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

不安などのネガティブな情動が循環器や消化管の機能異常を引き起こすことはよく知られているが、その神経機構は未だ明らかではない。本研究では、先端的な神経路特異的薬理学研究法を駆使することにより、分界条床核から外側視床下部に投射する神経細胞の活動低下が不安情動を惹起することを明らかにした。今後、外側視床下部から橋・延髄に投射し自律神経機能を調節する神経回路を同定することにより、不安などのネガティブな情動に起因する循環器や消化管の機能障害の病態メカニズム解明や治療薬創製に役立つことが期待される。