|
 |
|
EDRI Federal Project Inventory:
Corticotropin-releasing Factor and Infant Behavior
- Sponsor Organization: NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
- Project Title: CORTICOTROPIN-RELEASING FACTOR AND INFANT BEHAVIOR
- Project Focus: HUMAN HEALTH EFFECTS
- Description: Infants that are involuntarily separated from their mothers may suffer
severephysiological and behavioral consequences. Most of what we know
concerning thephysiological effects has derived from studies using
nonhuman primates. These effectsinclude increases in sympathetic
activity, changes in neurotransmitter levels, andincreased activity of
the pituitary- adrenal system, a neuroendocrine system associatedwith
stress. For many years, it was only possible to study such questions
in primatessince common laboratory rodents have been thought to
respond to separation in afundamentally different way than to
primates, and possibly humans. In his previousNSF support, Dr.
Hennessy demonstrated that the responses of young guinea pigs
tomaternal separation are in many ways similar to those of primates.
The guinea pigmodel provides an alternative to primate research which,
in turn, offers many practicaladvantages. Dr. Hennessy would continue
his research to further our understanding ofhow brief periods of
maternal separations alter neuroendocrine and behavioralfunction. He
will examine the role of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) since
thishypothalamic neurohormone is of primary importance in the body's
diversephysiological and behavioral responses in threatening
situations. Dr. Hennessy willinvestigate the role of centrally and
peripherally administered corticotropin-releasingfactor and its
antagonists in mediating stress-induced behavioral changes.
Thesebasic studies will contribute to our understanding of the
consequences of mother-infantseparation and processes of attachment
and elucidate the nature of the stressresponse in young.
- References:
- Category: MODELS
- Subcategory: BASIC RESEARCH
- Keywords for Experimental System/Species: RODENT, MAMMAL, IN VIVO, LABORATORY STUDY
- Keywords for Experimental Endpoints: NEUROLOGICAL, REPRODUCTIVE, HORMONE MEASURES, SEX STEROIDS, PEPTIDE
HORMONES,PHYSIOLOGY, BREEDING BEHAVIOR, STRESS RESPONSE
- Chemical Agents: Peptide Hormones, Sex Steroids
- Performing Institution: Wright State University
- Contact: Michael B Hennessy, Colonel Glenn Highway, Dayton, OH 45435
513873-2425
|
|
