Robert M. Bradley, M.S.D., Ph.D. ~Professor of Dentistry ~Professor of Physiology Ph.D. Florida State Univ., 1970 D6223 Dental School (734) 763-1080 rmbrad@umich.edu Visit Dr. Bradley's Dental School website.

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. Experiments are in progress to characterize synaptic plasticity in the NTS and to study NTS inhibitory mechanisms. To study response properties of taste buds over a long time period, we have developed a chronic recording electrode array that we implant between the cut ends of a gustatory nerve. The nerve regenerates to form functional connections with taste buds, and we have been able to chronically record evoked sensory responses from the tongue. These studies will contribute basic information about the stability of the afferent response during processes of taste cell turnover and synaptic changes. This information will provide important new data about the cell biology of the taste system that can be applied to questions of neural coding in taste. In addition, development of the implantable electrode can have important applications in technology to restore function in regenerating peripheral nerves as well as being important in the development of neural prostheses.

Representative Publications:

Grabauskas, G., and Bradley, R.M. Potentiation of GABAergic synaptic transmission in the rostral nucleus of the solitary tract. Neuroscience ,94: 1173-1182, 1999.

Grabauskas G., and Bradley, R.M. Tetanic stimulation induces short-term potentiation of inhibitory synaptic activity in the rostral nucleus of the solitary tract.Jour Neurophysiol 79: 595-604, 1998.

Kobashi M and RM Bradley. Differences in the intrinsic membrane characteristics of parabrachial nucleus neurons processing gustatory and visceral information. Brain Res781: 218-226, 1998 (in press).

Bradley, R.M., Cao, X., Akin, T., and Najafi, K. Long term chronic recording fro peripheral sensory fibers using a sieve electrode array. Jour Neurosci Methods73: 177-186, 1997.

Back to list of faculty