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2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

Brain Environmental Variability and Pathological Control by Psychosomatic Functional Linkage

Research Project

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Project/Area Number 22K15218
Research Category

Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists

Allocation TypeMulti-year Fund
Review Section Basic Section 46030:Function of nervous system-related
Research InstitutionTohoku University

Principal Investigator

YOKO Ikoma  東北大学, 生命科学研究科, 助教 (20838510)

Project Period (FY) 2022-04-01 – 2024-03-31
Keywordsグリア細胞 / 迷走神経刺激 / てんかん / 脳内環境 / 心身機能連関 / ファイバーフォトメトリー
Outline of Final Research Achievements

The activity of neurons in the brain is subject to various regulations from peripheral nerves and glial cells around the neurons. The vagus nerve is a peripheral nerve and stimulating these nerve fibers could send signals to the central brain and such vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has been used to cure epilepsy in human patients. However, the mechanisms of the VNS therapy is still unknown. It is possible that VNS affects the glial cells in the brain, which are sensitive to external stimuli. In this study, I used mice to clarify how the response of glial cells changes during the development of epileptiform symptoms, and also examined the response of glial cells when antiepileptic effects are induced by the VNS. It was suggested that glial cell-mediated changes in the brain environment may produce antiepileptic effects.

Free Research Field

脳科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

てんかんの有病率は全人口の1%にも及ぶが、てんかん焦点の外科的切除以外の根本的な治癒の方法は未だに見つかっていない。その中、首のあたりにある迷走神経を脳に向かって刺激する方法(迷走神経刺激法;VNS)で、難治性のてんかんが治癒されることがあることが発見されて、大いに注目を浴びているが、治癒のメカニズムは明らかではない。そこで、本研究では、実験動物のマウスを用いて、てんかん様症状が発展したり、VNSによって抗てんかん作用を誘導した時の脳の活動を調べることにした。研究の結果、VNSから中枢脳機能変化へと至る経路には、外部からの刺激に鋭敏に反応するグリア細胞が担う可能性が示唆された。

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Published: 2025-01-30  

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