Johnson Gross 9224876 The brain is protected from contact with the environment by a relatively impermeable blood-brain barrier induced by the neuroglial cells that surround brain capillaries. But there are gaps in this barrier. Specially differentiated organs -- circumventricular organs -- in the ventricular walls contain neurons with receptors for a variety of blood-borne chemicals. These neurons form early warning networks that maintains brain and body homeostasis. They are influential regulators of autonomic and neuroendocrine system functions. Some of these organs have shown to be crucially important in the regulation of blood pressure but there is as yet no understanding of the role of the newly discovered peptide neurotransmitters or how the organs function together as a system. This NSF grant will allow eight young scientists to participate in a summer research conference on the circumventricular organs organized by the Federated Societies of Experimental Biology. The purpose of this conference is to bring basic and clinical scientists together to exchange information and to foster a greater understanding of the potential importance of this area of research. ***
