The proposed research is directed toward the long term goal of defining developmental factors which are crucial in differentiation and specification of neurons. Techniques previously applied to describe neurotransmitter phenotypic expression and development in the peripheral nervous system will be applied to the brain. Specifically, the embryonic and postnatal development of the adrenergic C1-C3 cell groups of the rat medulla oblongata will be studied to: 1) document the initial appearance of a range of adrenergic phenotypic characters, 2) define the temporal relationship between """"""""neuronal birthdays"""""""" and the initial expression of adrenergic phenotypic characters, 3) compare central and peripheral adrenergic neurons witb respect to phenotypic expression, development and regulation by glucocorticoids, 4) elucidate possible transplacental effects of maternal glucocorticoids on adrenergic development in fetal brain, 5) investigate peptidergic expression in central adrenergic neurons, and 6) study the effects of target structures on adrenergic development. An interdisciplinary approach involving immunocytochemistry, biochemistry, autoradiography, pharmacology and cell culture will be taken. These studies promise to elucidate loci where changes in the milieu of the developing neuron may lead to abnormal neuronal development and ultimately to therapeutic approaches for the correction of neuronal deficits.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Modified Research Career Development Award (K04)
Project #
5K04NS000910-03
Application #
3074779
Study Section
Neurology B Subcommittee 1 (NEUB)
Project Start
1984-09-01
Project End
1987-08-31
Budget Start
1986-09-01
Budget End
1987-08-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
1986
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
State University New York Stony Brook
Department
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
804878247
City
Stony Brook
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
11794
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Vielkind, U; Walencewicz, A; Levine, J M et al. (1990) Type II glucocorticoid receptors are expressed in oligodendrocytes and astrocytes. J Neurosci Res 27:360-73
Bernstein-Goral, H; Bohn, M C (1990) The ontogeny of adrenergic fibers in rat spinal cord. Adv Exp Med Biol 265:245-59
Bernstein-Goral, H; Bohn, M C (1989) Phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase-immunoreactive terminals synapse on adrenal preganglionic neurons in the rat spinal cord. Neuroscience 32:521-37
Bohn, M C; Seiger, A; Bernstein-Goral, H (1988) Expression of phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) in embryonic rat medulla oblongata grown in Oculo. J Chem Neuroanat 1:205-11
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Pieribone, V A; Aston-Jones, G; Bohn, M C (1988) Adrenergic and non-adrenergic neurons in the C1 and C3 areas project to locus coeruleus: a fluorescent double labeling study. Neurosci Lett 85:297-303
Bohn, M C; Cupit, L; Marciano, F et al. (1987) Adrenal medulla grafts enhance recovery of striatal dopaminergic fibers. Science 237:913-6
Bohn, M C (1987) Division of small intensely fluorescent cells in neonatal rat superior cervical ganglion is inhibited by glucocorticoids. Neuroscience 20:885-94