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Outcomes
Our focus is on basic research. The objective of our research program is to define the neurophysiology of osmoregulatory circuits in the hypothalamus. Specifically, we study a variety of fundamental issues regarding these networks at the molecular, cellular and systems level. Our work so far has favored this approach as opposed to the immediate targeting of a specific disease. However we are certainly interested in the relevant phenotypes caused by genetic modification of relevant molecules. Our work should lead to the eventual analysis of how abnormal physiology can underlie pathology.
What are the benefits of this approach? From the student's perspective, studying normal brain function, rather than a pre-constrained disease model, provides an opportunity to learn general principles in a normal functional context. After all, understanding normal physiology is a prerequisite to understanding disease. For example the discovery of insulin, and what it does under normal conditions, preceeded its use as a life-saving therapeutic tool. From our perspective, very little is known about the details of normal brain function. In the Bourque lab we study how subsets of hypothalamic neurons perform specific tasks related to osmoregulation and cardiovascular balance. Ultimately the new knowledge created by this approach will help us understand how genetic mutations (spontaneous or inherited) and environmental factors can cause the symptoms that characterize various diseases.
Is this approach suitable for a student or postdoc? Studying the neurophysiology of ion channels in native central circuits provides an opportunity to learn many advanced experimental techniques, analytical methods and fundamental principles that are broadly applicable to other areas of neuroscience and biology. Students taking this approach become experts in aspects of neuroscience that are not constrained by the details and limitations of a specific disease model, which is a healthy undertaking at an early stage in their career. The broad-spectrum training received by students and fellows who have worked in this laboratory has helped them secure positions in medical practice, scientific writing, teaching, as well as in clinical, pharmaceutical and academic research. See Alumni page.
What clinical conditions can benefit from this research? Defining the mechanisms by which neurons wired within osmoregulatory circuits detect changes in core body temperature, blood sodium concentration and plasma osmolality will shed light on how environmental factors such as salt intake, heat exposure and exercise normally cause adaptive changes in fluid-electrolyte balance and blood pressure. Pathological changes in these control mechanisms (genetic or environmental) have been linked to conditions such as:
- hypertension
- hyponatremia following myocardial infartion
- hyponatremia caused by drugs (e.g. ecstasy)
- hyponatremia during hyperglycemia linked to diabetes mellitus
- increased risk of dehydration in elderly
- water retention during pregnancy
- circadian (night time) polyuria/enuresis
- neurogenic diabetes insipidus
- syndrome of inappropriate vasopressin release (SIADH)
- hypernatremia during septic shock
- hypernatremia caused by ethanol
By defining the role of fundamental components of the central osmoregulatory control system, our work will allow the eventual identification of systems affected during each of these conditions. The outcome will be a roadmap showing where therapeutic interventions can pinpoint specific causal mechanisms.
Our focus is on basic research. The objective of our research program is to define the neurophysiology of osmoregulatory circuits in the hypothalamus. Specifically, we study a variety of fundamental issues regarding these networks at the molecular, cellular and systems level. Our work so far has favored this approach as opposed to the immediate targeting of a specific disease. However we are certainly interested in the relevant phenotypes caused by genetic modification of relevant molecules. Our work should lead to the eventual analysis of how abnormal physiology can underlie pathology.
What are the benefits of this approach? From the student's perspective, studying normal brain function, rather than a pre-constrained disease model, provides an opportunity to learn general principles in a normal functional context. After all, understanding normal physiology is a prerequisite to understanding disease. For example the discovery of insulin, and what it does under normal conditions, preceeded its use as a life-saving therapeutic tool. From our perspective, very little is known about the details of normal brain function. In the Bourque lab we study how subsets of hypothalamic neurons perform specific tasks related to osmoregulation and cardiovascular balance. Ultimately the new knowledge created by this approach will help us understand how genetic mutations (spontaneous or inherited) and environmental factors can cause the symptoms that characterize various diseases.
Is this approach suitable for a student or postdoc? Studying the neurophysiology of ion channels in native central circuits provides an opportunity to learn many advanced experimental techniques, analytical methods and fundamental principles that are broadly applicable to other areas of neuroscience and biology. Students taking this approach become experts in aspects of neuroscience that are not constrained by the details and limitations of a specific disease model, which is a healthy undertaking at an early stage in their career. The broad-spectrum training received by students and fellows who have worked in this laboratory has helped them secure positions in medical practice, scientific writing, teaching, as well as in clinical, pharmaceutical and academic research. See Alumni page.
What clinical conditions can benefit from this research? Defining the mechanisms by which neurons wired within osmoregulatory circuits detect changes in core body temperature, blood sodium concentration and plasma osmolality will shed light on how environmental factors such as salt intake, heat exposure and exercise normally cause adaptive changes in fluid-electrolyte balance and blood pressure. Pathological changes in these control mechanisms (genetic or environmental) have been linked to conditions such as:
- hypertension
- hyponatremia following myocardial infartion
- hyponatremia caused by drugs (e.g. ecstasy)
- hyponatremia during hyperglycemia linked to diabetes mellitus
- increased risk of dehydration in elderly
- water retention during pregnancy
- circadian (night time) polyuria/enuresis
- neurogenic diabetes insipidus
- syndrome of inappropriate vasopressin release (SIADH)
- hypernatremia during septic shock
- hypernatremia caused by ethanol
By defining the role of fundamental components of the central osmoregulatory control system, our work will allow the eventual identification of systems affected during each of these conditions. The outcome will be a roadmap showing where therapeutic interventions can pinpoint specific causal mechanisms.