Nasal Epithelium - Alzheimer's Disease and Microvillar Receptors

Jafek, Bruce W.

Abstract

In several clinical syndromes studied to date, we have validated our basic original hypothesis that chemosensory dysfunctions are correlated with distinct histological changes in the receptor cells. We have applied our biopsy techniques to human subjects with probable Alzheimer's disease and have defined ultrastructural changes in the olfactory epithelium. The current proposal seeks to extend these studies to include microanalytic evaluation of a crystalline substance found in the olfactory epithelium in probable Alzheimer's disease patients. In addition, we propose to investigate the mitochondrial changes which have been observed in the olfactory epithelial support cells. Evaluation of mitochondrial changes in the olfactory epithelial support cells in a rat model of cytochrome oxidase deficiency is an important corollary to these studies. In addition, the ultrastructural and immunochemical characteristics of a potential nonolfactory chemosensory system will be evaluated: microvillar cells. Studies on the nasal microvillar cells will continue in an attempt to determine whether these cells represent a chemoreceptor population distinct from the classically described olfactory receptor cells. Both immunochemical and tracer techniques will be applied in these studies.

Funding Agency

• Agency: National Institute of Health (NIH)
• Institute: National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
• Type: Research Program Projects (P01)
• Project #: 5P01DC000244-12
• Application #: 5209861
• Support Year: 12
• Fiscal Year: 1996

Publications

Finger, Thomas E; Bartel, Dianna L; Shultz, Nicole et al. (2017) 5HTR3A-driven GFP labels immature olfactory sensory neurons. J Comp Neurol 525:1743-1755

Tizzano, Marco; Finger, Thomas E (2013) Chemosensors in the nose: guardians of the airways. Physiology (Bethesda) 28:51-60

Finger, Thomas E (2009) Evolution of gustatory reflex systems in the brainstems of fishes. Integr Zool 4:53-63

Ikenaga, Takanori; Ogura, Tatsuya; Finger, Thomas E (2009) Vagal gustatory reflex circuits for intraoral food sorting behavior in the goldfish: cellular organization and neurotransmitters. J Comp Neurol 516:213-25

Huesa, Gema; Ikenaga, Takanori; Bottger, Barbel et al. (2008) Calcium-fluxing glutamate receptors associated with primary gustatory afferent terminals in goldfish (Carassius auratus). J Comp Neurol 506:694-707

Finger, Thomas E (2008) Sorting food from stones: the vagal taste system in Goldfish, Carassius auratus. J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol 194:135-43

Yee, Cindy; Bartel, Dianna L; Finger, Thomas E (2005) Effects of glossopharyngeal nerve section on the expression of neurotrophins and their receptors in lingual taste buds of adult mice. J Comp Neurol 490:371-90

Linschoten, Miriam R; Harvey Jr, Lewis O (2004) Detecting malingerers by means of response-sequence analysis. Percept Psychophys 66:1190-201

Hall, Joshua M H; Bell, Melanie L; Finger, Thomas E (2003) Disruption of sonic hedgehog signaling alters growth and patterning of lingual taste papillae. Dev Biol 255:263-77

Finger, Thomas E; Bottger, Barbel; Hansen, Anne et al. (2003) Solitary chemoreceptor cells in the nasal cavity serve as sentinels of respiration. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 100:8981-6