Regulation of arginine-vasopressin neurons by satiety and body fluid osmolarity

The hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) is an area of the brain that plays an important role in processing information regarding body homeostasis. Neurons within this area can directly detect circulating signals regarding homeostasis, such as molecules and peptides. Arginine-vasopressin (AVP) and oxytocin (OXT) are two peptides found within the PVN that are thought to be important in regulating hydromineral balance and food intake. Currently, it is not clear whether any subpopulation of PVN AVP-containing or OXT-containing neurons can direclty respond to satiety signals and/or changes in salinity. This research will indentify populations of PVN AVP-containing or OXT-containing that directly respond to changes in salinity and or satiety signals by investigating changes in the electrical properties of neurons. This study will contribute to our understand of how neural circuits are organized with the PVN and will provide new targets for the effective treatment and prevention of obesity of hypertension.

Faculty Supervisor:

Mark Fry

Student:

Partner:

Jichi Medical University

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

University:

University of Manitoba

Program:

Globalink Research Award