Simultaneous evaluation of structural and functional changes of astrocytes and neurons in the NTS of mice submitted to sustained hypoxia

• Grant number: 23/18269-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: April 01, 2024
• End date: August 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Physiology - Physiology of Organs and Systems
• Principal Investigator: Benedito Honorio Machado
• Grantee: Octávio Augusto de Carvalho Maia
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 18/15957-2 - Astrocytic modulation on brainstem neurons involved with generation and control of sympathetic and respiratory activities in rodents submitted to hypoxia, AP.TEM

Abstract

Sustained hypoxia activate the peripheral chemoreceptors to produce autonomic and respiratory responses to bring back to normal the pressure of oxygen in the arterial blood. The first synapses of the afferents of the peripheral chemoreceptors are in the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS). These synapses are involved by astrocytes and constitute the synpases tripartite. The interaction of astrocytes and neurons at the level of the synaptic cleft facililate the functional interaction among these cells and it can modulate the synaptic transmission. However, we still dont know in what extension the effects of sustained hypoxia on the neurotransmission at the NTS level involved the astrocytic modulation and this is the main focus of this project. (AU)