Neuron Morphology in the NTS of Aged Rat Following Neonatal Chorda Tympani Nerve Cut
Advisor Information
Suzanne Sollars
Location
Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Library
Presentation Type
Poster
Start Date
7-3-2014 9:00 AM
End Date
7-3-2014 12:00 PM
Abstract
The chorda tympani nerve (CT) transmits taste signals from the anterior two thirds of the tongue to the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS). The terminal fields of three taste nerves, which include the CT, as well as the greater superficial petrosal (GSP), and the glossopharyngeal (GL), demonstrate developmentally competitive overlap within the NTS (Sollars, Walker, Thaw, & Hill, 2006; Corson & Hill, 2011). Following neonatal CT nerve cuts (CTX) performed at P5 or P10, studies have examined the morphology of NTS neurons in young (P20) and adult (P55) rats, but have not yet investigated aged (P720+) rats. Golgi staining (FD, Neurotechnologies) combined with methylene blue counterstaining, facilitates visualization of the neurons within the NTS. The present work is examining the NTS of P720+ rats that underwent CTX or sham surgery at both P5 and P10. After NTS neurons are visualized through light microscopy, Neurolucida software (MicroBrightField Inc.) is used to trace and measure dendritic length. These measurements will be contrasted between treatment groups. Results should offer insight into how neurons within the rat NTS restructure in response to dramatic denervation. It is expected that NTS neurons within the experimental group will have comparatively longer dendritic processes in order to receive innervation from the GSP and GL, respectively. If morphological distinctions are not present, this could indicate a swifter expansion of the GL and GSP terminal fields than previously anticipated.
Neuron Morphology in the NTS of Aged Rat Following Neonatal Chorda Tympani Nerve Cut
Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Library
The chorda tympani nerve (CT) transmits taste signals from the anterior two thirds of the tongue to the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS). The terminal fields of three taste nerves, which include the CT, as well as the greater superficial petrosal (GSP), and the glossopharyngeal (GL), demonstrate developmentally competitive overlap within the NTS (Sollars, Walker, Thaw, & Hill, 2006; Corson & Hill, 2011). Following neonatal CT nerve cuts (CTX) performed at P5 or P10, studies have examined the morphology of NTS neurons in young (P20) and adult (P55) rats, but have not yet investigated aged (P720+) rats. Golgi staining (FD, Neurotechnologies) combined with methylene blue counterstaining, facilitates visualization of the neurons within the NTS. The present work is examining the NTS of P720+ rats that underwent CTX or sham surgery at both P5 and P10. After NTS neurons are visualized through light microscopy, Neurolucida software (MicroBrightField Inc.) is used to trace and measure dendritic length. These measurements will be contrasted between treatment groups. Results should offer insight into how neurons within the rat NTS restructure in response to dramatic denervation. It is expected that NTS neurons within the experimental group will have comparatively longer dendritic processes in order to receive innervation from the GSP and GL, respectively. If morphological distinctions are not present, this could indicate a swifter expansion of the GL and GSP terminal fields than previously anticipated.