We know almost nothing about the neural basis of the Brain-Body connection. This connection is the circuitry that enables motor, cognitive and affective processing to have a major impact on the function of internal organs such as the stomach, heart and spleen. Inappropriate signals in these networks are thought to contribute to the generation of some prevalent medical illnesses, and to cause the so-called functional and psychosomatic disorders. The experiments proposed in this application will fill a major gap in our knowledge. We will identify the cortical areas that influence, and in some instances control the function of the gastrointestinal (GI), cardiovascular and immune systems. The brain-body connection is based on chains of synaptically-connected neurons. No conventional neuroanatomical tracer is capable of revealing multi-synaptic circuits. To overcome this shortcoming, we developed the use of rabies virus as a transneuronal tracer in non-human primates. We propose to use this unique approach to reveal the complex networks that are responsible for the top-down influence of the central nervous system on the stomach, heart and spleen. There is a growing awareness that many medical symptoms, especially those without identifiable pathology, may be caused by a disturbance in the brain-body connection. This is especially the case for often intractable disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, stress- and depression-related heart disease, and fibromyalgia. Thus, the information that will come from our studies has the potential to transform the way we view and treat these disorders. In essence, the brain-body connection is a construct that lacks a concrete basic science foundation. The results from the proposed research will establish a structural framework for the brain-body connection and thus, create new opportunities for rigorous research and novel approaches for treatment. This information, because of its all-encompassing nature, will be of interest to many, if not all of the NIH Institutes and Centers.

Public Health Relevance

Many medical symptoms, especially those without identifiable pathology, may be caused by a disturbance in the brain-body connection, i.e., the neural circuits that connect the brain with internal organs. This is especially the case for often intractable disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, stress- and depression-related heart disease, and fibromyalgia. We propose to define the neural basis of the brain-body connection and, as a consequence, transform the way we view and treat so-called functional or psychosomatic disorders.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Center for Complementary & Alternative Medicine (NCCAM)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01AT010414-01
Application #
9552950
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1)
Program Officer
Chen, Wen G
Project Start
2018-09-10
Project End
2023-08-31
Budget Start
2018-09-10
Budget End
2019-08-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2018
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Pittsburgh
Department
Biology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
004514360
City
Pittsburgh
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
15213