Neuro-Humoral Modulation of Physiological Processes

Studies in this area investigate the neuro-humoral mechanisms controlling the cardiorespiratory function and regulating fluid/electrolyte balance (sodium and water intake and excretion) and metabolism under various physiological and pathophysiological conditions. These conditions include obesity, hypertension, dehydration, sleep-wake cycle, hypoxia, hypercapnia, sepsis, chronic inflammation, as well as neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's, among others. To achieve this, we employ a multidisciplinary approach with in vitro, in situ, and in vivo experiments involving behavioral analyses (fluid and food intake), nerve recordings, cellular recordings (patch-clamp), and physiological parameter measurements (e.g., cardiorespiratory measures, hormone levels, and other signaling molecules; analysis of sleep-wake cycle, temperature, basal metabolism, urinary excretion), gene expression analysis, protein levels of receptors and enzymes, and neuropharmacological and genetic techniques for manipulation (activation or inhibition/silencing) of neural pathways and neurochemical mechanisms of interest. It is expected that studies in this research line will contribute to advancing knowledge in physiology and the development of new therapeutic approaches for various public health issues in Brazil.

Faculty

• Carina A. F. Andrade
• Daniel B. Zoccal
• Débora Simões de Almeida Colombari
• Eduardo Colombari
• José Vanderlei Menani
• Laurival A. De Luca Jr.
• Mirela Barros Dias
• Patricia Maria de Paula