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Endocrine Disruptor Research Initiative
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EDRI Federal Project Inventory:
Neurobiology of Serotonin


  1. Sponsor Organization: NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

  2. Project Title: NEUROBIOLOGY OF SEROTONIN

  3. Project Focus: HUMAN HEALTH EFFECTS

  4. Description: Communication between cells in the brain requires the secretion of a chemical fromone cell which then acts on another cell, that is frequently adjacent to it. One of thechemical messenger molecules of the brain is serotonin. If enough cells in the brainrelease the same neurotransmitter in the same area at the same time, the behavior ofthe organism may be changed. Dr. Luine is involved in elucidating whether serotoninor another chemical mediator, gamma-aminobutyric acid, is responsible for mediatinghormone- dependent behavioral changes. The change in gamma- aminobutyric acidlevels after hormonal treatment or under natural conditions are being assessed, as aremodifications in gamma-aminobutyric acid receptors, and the enzymes responsible for producing this chemical in the brain. Investigating the physical connections betweenserotonin- and gamma-aminobutyric acid-containing neurons is underway. Thesestudies will allow Dr. Luine to establish the complex interplay between brain messengermolecules required to formulate a behavioral response. Moreover, these investigationswill provide a useful model for understanding how serotonin and gamma- aminobutyricacid interact throughout the brain. All vertebrate species sleep, eat, and behave andthese results will be pertinent to the generation of behaviors in animals in their naturalhabitats.

  5. References:

  6. Category: MODELS

  7. Subcategory: BASIC RESEARCH

  8. Keywords for Experimental System/Species: RODENT, MAMMAL, IN VIVO, LABORATORY STUDIES

  9. Keywords for Experimental Endpoints: NEUROLOGICAL, REPRODUCTIVE, HORMONE MEASURES, SEX STEROIDS, PEPTIDE HORMONES,PHYSIOLOGY, BREEDING BEHAVIOR

  10. Chemical Agents: Sex Steroids

  11. Performing Institution: City University of New York Hunter College

  12. Contact: Victoria N Luine, 695 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10021-5024 212 772-4000, vluine@shiva.hunter.cuny.edu

 

 
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