Current Research:
Research in my laboratory focuses on mechanisms of sensory processing in the gustatory system. We are examining the basic neurobiology of the first relay in the taste pathway - the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) - using whole cell recording in an in vitro brain slice preparation and acutely isolated neurons. We have determined the basic biophysical properties of the NTS neurons and performed structure-function correlation. We have defined the neuropharmacological properties of the NTS neurons and examined the properties of the afferent synapse including synaptic mechanisms of convergence between different gustatory nerves. Currently we are examining how brainstem circuits within the NTS distribute information derived from stimulation of taste receptors to more rostral brain relays, parasympathetic secretomotor nucleus controlling salivary glands and to motor neurons involved in masticatory and facial expression.
Representative Publications:
Suwabe T., H. Fukami, and R. M. Bradley. Synaptic responses of neurons controlling the parotid and von Ebner salivary glands in rats to stimulation of the solitary nucleus and tract. J.Neurophysiol.:01115, 2008.
Kim, M. D. J. Chiego, and R. M. Bradley. Ionotropic glutamate receptor expression in preganglionic neurons of the rat inferior salivatory nucleus. Auton.Neurosci. 138 :83-90, 2008.
Suwabe T. and R. M. Bradley. Effects of 5-hydroxytryptamine and substance P on neurons of the inferior salivatory nucleus. J.Neurophysiol. 97:2605-2611, 2007.
Bradley R. M.. The Role of the Nucleus of the Solitary Tract in Gustatory Processing, Boca Raton:CRC Press, 2006. 158 pages.
Fukami H. and R. M. Bradley. Biophysical and morphological properties of parasympathetic neurons controling the parotid and von Ebner salivary glands in rats. J.Neurophysiol. 93:678-686, 2005.
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