Ei TerasawaEi Terasawa

 

 

Study of Hypothalamic GnRH Neurons

E-mail: terasawa@primate.wisc.edu

Office Phone: (608) 263-3579, (608) 263-3528

Research Strengths: Neuroendocrinology; Development: Plasticity and Repair, Membrane Excitability and Synaptic Transmission

Many types of neuroendocrine neurons in the hypothalamus release neurohormones
into the pituitary portal circulation in an oscillatory manner, which is essential for
normal pituitary function. My research focuses on the study of one of these
neurons--the gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) neurosecretory system.
The aims of current studies are: 1) to determine the mechanism of the onset of puberty, which requires an increase in GnRH pulse frequency; 2) to investigate the mechanism of ovarian steroid action on GnRH neurons, which modulate pulsatile GnRH release with different time domains, and 3) to investigate the cellular mechanism of pulsatile LHRH neurosecretion.

My research is being conducted on the rhesus monkey, as an important model for
humans. I take a multidisciplinary approach to accomplishing the research aims, and
use a variety of techniques including a microdialysis method to determine in
vivo release of neuropeptides and neurotransmitters; Ca2+ imaging in cultured
LHRH neurons; patch clamp recording; in vitro perfusion of hypothalami and
cultured LHRH neurons; identification of neuroendocrine neurons with
immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization; and assessment of quantitative neuronal gene expression and DNA methylation status with various molecular biological approaches.


Selected Publications:

   
         
   

UW Home    Graduate School    Site Map


Copyright © 2003 The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System
Page Created June 3, 2003 | Last Updated August 29, 2012
Question or Comments, Please contact the program at ntp@mhub.neuroscience.wisc.edu