Glial influence on neuronal activity and behavior

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25702054
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (A)
• Allocation Type: Partial Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Basic / Social brain science
• Research Institution: Tohoku University
• Principal Investigator: MATSUI Ko 東北大学, 医学(系)研究科(研究院), 准教授 (20435530)
• Research Collaborator: BEPPU Kaoru
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 脳科学 / グリア細胞 / 光遺伝学 / オプトジェネティクス / グルタミン酸 / 細胞内イオン

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We have generated transgenic mice that express, in astrocytes of the glial cell population, fluorescent proteins that are sensitive to changes in intracellular pH or calcium. Compared to methods using synthetic dyes, these proteins are specifically expressed in astrocytes. Therefore, using acute brain slice preparations, local changes in the fine processes of the cells can be readily identified. In addition, small cranial window was created and optical fiber was inserted to observe the intracellular ionic changes in vivo. These methods along with the methods to optical control intracellular ionic changes using ChR2 and ArchT, we would be able to understand how astrocytes function affect neuronal activity and animal behavior.

Free Research Field

脳生理学