Neuroanatomic changes in brainstem areas that control cardiovascular activity during baroreflex activation and desactivation in Parkinson Disease animal model

• Grant number: 16/08987-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2016
• End date: July 31, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Physiology - Physiology of Organs and Systems
• Principal Investigator: Ana Carolina Takakura Moreira
• Grantee: Laís Maria Cardoso Cabral
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by substantia nigra, pars compacta (SNc) degeneration that impairs the nigra-striatal dopaminergic release. So far, motor and non-motor symptoms are associated to this disease. Among non-motor symptoms, the noradrenergic sympathetic denervation of the heart and arterial baroreflex failure are related to orthostatic hypotension. Baroreflex is a mechanism of blood pressure regulation, which baroreceptors located in aortic arch and carotid sinus send information of blood pressure changes (when it is different from the resting values) to regions located in medulla oblongata, that will modulate vagal and sympathetic tonus in order to enhance blood pressure in response of its decrease, or in order to decrease blood pressure when it is elevated. The aim of this study is to understand non-motor symptoms related to the cardiovascular system and the involvement of neuroanatomical changes that can contribute to those functional changes in a model of PD. In the present study we will use the animal model of PD induced by bilateral injection of 6-hidroxidopamine (6-OHDA) in Caudate-Putamen (CPu), striatum areas, of rats. Twenty days after injection of 6-OHDA or vehicle into CPu, baroreflex activity will be tested by sodium nitroprusside or phenylephrine intravenously infusion. At the end of the experiment, an immunohistochemical analysis of coronal slices of perfused brains will be done in order to analyze c-Fos(neuronal activation marker) expression in brain areas that control blood pressure.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

CABRAL, LAIS M.; MOREIRA, THIAGO S.; TAKAKURA, ANA C.; FALQUETTO, BARBARA. Attenuated baroreflex in a Parkinson's disease animal model coincides with impaired activation of non-C1 neurons. AUTONOMIC NEUROSCIENCE-BASIC & CLINICAL, v. 225, MAY 2020. (15/11268-0, 16/08987-7, 15/23376-1, 16/23281-3)