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Our laboratory focuses on neurotransmitters in central cardiovascular and circulatory control. One aim of our current studies is to determine how the excitatory amino acids and nitric oxide synthesized by neurons participate as possible neurotransmitters in central cardiovascular reflex signal transduction. In another study we investigate the role played by arterial baroreceptor reflexes in cerebrovascular control. Those studies focus on the role played by nitroxidergic parasympathetic nerves in cerebrovascular control and on the preganglionic central pathways that regulate those nerves. Each of these studies utilizes multidisciplinary approaches that include neuropharmacological, neurochemical, neurophysiological, and neuroanatomical methods. Currently we seek to assess the impact on transmission in central cardiovascular reflex pathways of localized altered expression of transmitter synthesis. Ultimately we seek to determine the influence of such perturbations on hypertension and on lesion size in stroke models.
Selected Publications
Agassandian,K., Fazan, V.P.S., Margaryan, N., Nitschke Dragon, D., Riley, J., Talman, W.T. A Novel Central Pathway Links Arterial Baroreceptors and Pontine Parasympathetic Neurons in Cerebrovascular Control. Cell. Mol. Neurobiol. 23:463-479, 2003.
Lin, L.H., Edwards, R.H., Fremeau, R.T.J., Fujiyama, F., Kaneko, T., Talman, W.T. Vesicular Glutamate Transporter Colocalizes with Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase in Rat Nucleus Tractus Solitarii. Neuroscience. 123 (2004) 247-255, 2004.
Chianca, D.A., Jr., Lin, L-H., Nitschke Dragon, D., Talman, W.T. Glutamate Receptors in the Nucleus Tractus Solitariiin the Nucleus Tractus Solitarii are Linked to Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase. Am. J. Physiol. Heart and Circ. Physiol. 286: H1521 - 1527, 2004.
Talman, W.T. and Nitschke Dragon, D. Transmission of arterial baroreflex signals depends on neuronal nitric oxide synthase. Hypertension 43:820, 2004. Deidre Nitschke Dragon studies cardiovascular effects of inhibiting neuronal nitric oxide synthase in a lab rat. Stereotaxic surgery and microinjections are used for precise application both of pharmacological agents as well as viral vectors.