A role of the neural coordination between the gustatory and autonomic insula.

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25462884
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Functional basic dentistry
• Research Institution: Osaka University
• Principal Investigator: Hajime Sato 大阪大学, 歯学研究科, 助教 (10432452)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 味覚 / 島皮質 / 自律神経反応 / オシレーション

Outline of Final Research Achievements

I have examined the neural coordination between the dysgranular region in the insular cortex, which is involved in taste perception as the primary gustatory area (Gu-I), and the granular region in the insular cortex, which is potentially involved in visceral sensory-motor control as the primary autonomic area (Au-I). In a series of in vitro (J Neurosci. 2012) and human fMRI studies (Front. Hum. Neurosci. 2016), it is demonstrated that the neural coordination between these two areas may be involved in autonomic responses to tasting spicy foods. Ｆurthermore, by using voltage sensitive dye imaging, it is demonstrated that the neural coordination between the Gu-I and the gastrointestinal region of Au-I is generated or suppressed by the opposing activities between CB1R and GPR119 (Sci Rep. 2016). This mechanism may be involved in the feeding behavior based on taste recognition. It will be possible that the neural coordination between Gu-I and Au-I play multi-functional roles.

Free Research Field

神経生理学