This research is broadly concerned with the potential role of the parabrachial nucleus (PBN) as a substrate for the observed links between affect and balance. Two major areas of investigation are identified: physiological and anatomical. Vestibulorecipient cells have been found in the portion of PBN reciprocally connected with the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA). Neurons in this region express a variety of unique responses, including static position sensitivity, and bias and modulation responses to off-vertical-axis rotations. The present research is concerned with dynamic, otolith-derived responses of PBN units during OVAR. We will test the general hypothesis that static position sensitivity and responses to periodic rotational stimuli predict dynamic otolith responses during OVAR. Additionally, the vestibular nuclei-PBN-CeA network is not well characterized anatomically. We propose to study the efferent organization of the PBN with respect to the vestibular nuclei and CeA, to determine whether there exist collateralized projections from PBN to both areas, and the relationships between cell bodies projecting to each area. We will also test the hypothesis that vestibulorecipient PBN neurons project to the CeA through both tract tracing and antidromic activation of PBN efferents to CeA. ? ?

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
Type
Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F31)
Project #
1F31DC006321-01
Application #
6692358
Study Section
Communication Disorders Review Committee (CDRC)
Program Officer
Sklare, Dan
Project Start
2003-09-01
Project End
2005-08-31
Budget Start
2003-09-01
Budget End
2004-08-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2003
Total Cost
$39,429
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Pittsburgh
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
004514360
City
Pittsburgh
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
15213
McCandless, Cyrus H; Balaban, Carey D (2010) Parabrachial nucleus neuronal responses to off-vertical axis rotation in macaques. Exp Brain Res 202:271-90