Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) cells of the terminal nerve as a model neuromodulator system.
Modulation of ionic channel properties by neurotransmitters and hormones is called neuromodulation and may be the basis for many long-lasting changes in animal behavior, e.g. changes in the arousal or motivational states. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), originally identified as a hypophysiotropic hormone, is now believed to act also as a neuromodulator. From studies of electrical activities and morphology of terminal nerve cells (major source of GnRH) of a fish brain, a general hypothesis regarding modulator neurons is proposed; modulator neurons have endogenous oscillatory activities which vary according to the animal's hormonal or environmental conditions. These modulator neurons, in turn, regulate neuronal excitabilities in a wide variety of brain regions simultaneously via multiple axonal branches.
Oka
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Zoological Institute, Faculty of Science, University of Tokyo, Japan.
D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000502:physiology; D001710:Biotin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005399:Fishes; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000502:physiology*; D008239:Lysine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological; D009411:Nerve Endings / Q000502:physiology*; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000502:physiology*; D009830:Olfactory Bulb / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000166:cytology
D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; C070614:neurobiotin; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D001710:Biotin; C013411:biocytin; D008239:Lysine