Elucidating the neural mechanisms underlying thirst suppression

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K20685
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0704:Neuroscience, brain sciences, and related fields
• Research Institution: Niigata University
• Principal Investigator: Ichiki Takako 新潟大学, 医歯学系, 助教 (30778519)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-08-30 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 飲水抑制 / 肝門脈

Outline of Final Research Achievements

It has been suggested that hypoosmotic sensing in the gut is essential for sustained inhibition of water drinking, however the mechanism has remained unclear. In this study, using an originally established in vivo imaging, we demonstrated that the vagus nerve innervating the hepatic portal vein contributes to the sensing of hypoosmotic stimuli in peripheral organs. This study has elucidated an important aspect of the neural basis for fluid homeostasis.

Free Research Field

神経科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

長らく不明であった飲水抑制回路を明らかにすることは、体液恒常性を維持する神経基盤を解明するうえで非常に重要で決定的な研究となる。また、中枢のみならず末梢神経系の機能を明らかにすることで、飲水制御プロセスを身体全体における神経回路網のダイナミクスとして理解することにつながる。将来的には、飲水行動だけでなく、摂食行動などの別の欲求行動の制御メカニズムの解明に応用できる。