A major goal of the research in our department is to elucidate neuronal and neurochemical mechanisms of higher cognitive function, sleep and biological rhythm.

Outline of Projects

The research in this department is concerned with:

(1) Higher cognitive function

(1-1)	Neurophysiological and neurochemical studies on the higher cognitive and motivational function of the prefrontal cortex.
(1-2)	Functional neuroimaging studies on neuronal mechanisms of higher cognitive functions, especially of learning and memory formation in the monkey using mainly positron emission tomography (PET) technique (See the PDF file).

(2) Sleep and biological rhythm

(2-1)	Neurophysiological studies of sleep, especially REM sleep, generating mechanisms and neuropathological studies of sleep disorders.
(2-2)	The chronobiological study of circadian rhythms of rat behavior, focused on the zeitgeber role of light.

In vivo microdialysis and HPLC studies have revealed that various neurotransmitters participate in generation of sleep-wake cycles and the performance of memory tasks.

Administration of NMDA-receptor agonist to pontine cholinergic neurons which are supposed to be a part of the REM-sleep generating system enhanced NO release.

Staff

KODAMA Tohru
USUI Setsuo
WATANABE Masataka
HONDA Yoshiko
KOJIMA Takashi
KUWAJIMA Mariko
OKANO Shukan
HAYASHIZAKI Seiji
HOSOKAWA Takayuki
KANBAYASHI Takashi
KIMURA Mayumi
KOYAMA Yoshimasa
KUWAHATA Takashi
MIYASAKA Kyoko
ONOE Hirotaka
SAKAGAMI Masamichi
SHIRAKAWA Shuichiro

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