Central neuronal mechanisms for descending antinociception and arousal states in the brain

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26293132
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Partial Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Pain science
• Research Institution: National Institute for Physiological Sciences
• Principal Investigator: FURUE Hidemasa 生理学研究所, 基盤神経科学研究領域, 准教授(兼任) (20304884)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 神野 尚三 九州大学, 医学(系)研究科(研究院), 教授 (10325524) ; 深澤 有吾 福井大学, 医学部, 教授 (60343745)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): IMOTO Keiji 生理学研究所, 所長 (00176512)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 覚醒 / 鎮静 / 鎮痛 / 青斑核 / チャネルロドプシン

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We have studied how noradrenergic neurons in the locus coeruleus in the brain stem act on descending antnociception and arousal levels in the brain. We used virus vectors to control noradrenergic neuronal activity by using optogenetic tools. Locus coeruleus neurons were successfully activated by optic stimulation and how the locus coeruleus activation changes nociceptive behaviors and arousal levels was examined. In vivo electrophysiological analysis was also studied, and the descending and ascending neuronal circuits were identified with Immunohistochemical methods.

Free Research Field

生理学