Objective
The vertebrate brain integrates information and governs the body via neural and endocrine communication systems. Because these systems should not convey conflicting messages, they must communicate with each other. The pituitary gland holds a key position in this integration, as it converts neural and neuroendocrine signals from the brain into endocrine signals.
In this way, it controls a multitude of physiological processes, including the stress response. Malfunctions in the stress response communication hierarchy are involved in several diseases. To understand neuroendocrine integration, it is necessary to identify signal origins and receivers. At the level of the pituitary gland, such communication can best be studied in (teleost) fish, because, in contrast to mammals, the pituitary gland in fish is directly innervated by hypothalamic neurons.
This project aims to map structural and functional relations between brain and pituitary cells in the stress response and to determine at what levels in the communication hierarchy signals are modulated to alter pituitary responses. The study focuses on fish brain slice preparations that contain both the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland, with their connections intact. First, the input and internal organisation of the hypothalamic nucleus preopticus (NPO), which projects the stress hormone CRH to the pituitary gland, will be neuroanatomically analysed.
Next, CRH-cells will be electrophysiologically characterised by intracellular recordings, and labelled with biocytin to determine the contact types of CRH-cells on their pituitary gland target cells. Finally, the response of NPO CRH-cells to electrical and pharmacological stimulation will be assessed using electrophysiological techniques, and the subsequent pituitary endocrine output will be measured.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine endocrinology
- natural sciences biological sciences zoology mammalogy
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
FP6-2002-MOBILITY-11
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Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
9101 NIJMEGEN
Netherlands
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.