Subcellular Neuroscience of Autonomic Function

The research of Dr. Glass is aimed at understanding neurobiological mechanisms mediating behavioral plasticity. To address this broad question within the context of developing novel approaches for treatment for health-related problems, this investigator utilizes a multidisciplinary neuroscience-based strategy, including electron microscopic immunocytochemical analysis of receptor targeting, spatial-temporal gene knock-out of brain glutamate receptors, and behavioral analysis. This investigator employs these techniques to study autonomic regulation and autonomic disturbances in small rodent models of hypertension and drug abuse. Dr. Glass has shown that within the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS), an important component of brain circuits regulating autonomic function, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors are enriched in dendritic processes that are known to receive a high density of synapses from axon terminals containing glutamate. Significantly, this distribution is changed in rats that are made hypertensive by chronic infusion of Angiotensin or that chronically self-administer morphine. As a complimentary approach, Dr. Glass will use novel conditional knock-out technology to suppress gene expression for this receptor within specific brain areas, and examine the consequences of this treatment on the development or expression of opioid reward and opioid withdrawal. For more information, please visit our website at: http://www.cornellneurology.org/neurobiology