Three-dimensional macronutrient-associated Fos expression patterns in the mouse brainstem.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The caudal brainstem plays an important role in short-term satiation and in the control of meal termination. Meal-related stimuli sensed by the gastrointestinal (GI) tract are transmitted to the area postrema (AP) via the bloodstream, or to the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) via the vagus nerve. Little is known about the encoding of macronutrient-specific signals in the caudal brainstem. We hypothesized that sucrose and casein peptone activate spatially distinct sub-populations of NTS neurons and thus characterized the latter using statistical three-dimensional modeling.

Methodology/principal findings

Using immunolabeling of the proto-oncogene Fos as a marker of neuronal activity, in combination with a statistical three-dimensional modeling approach, we have show

SUBMITTER: Schwarz J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2813867 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature