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Jeffrey G. Tasker,
Ph.D.
Professor
Tel: (504)
862-8726
Fax: (504)
865-6785
tasker@tulane.edu
Research
Program
The
Neurophysiology of Neuroendocrine Cells of the
Hypothalamus
Neuroendocrine systems
of the hypothalamus often operate on a cyclic schedule, which is
characterized by pulsatile release of hormone. The periodicity of hormone
output is governed by the patterns of electrical activity of the
individual neurons of a given neuroendocrine population. Bursting patterns
of electrical discharge are often responsible for pulsatile hormone
output, and several neurophysiological mechanism can contribute to the
generation of bursting. Research in my laboratory is aimed at
understanding the mechanisms underlying the cyclic outputs of different
hypothalamic neuroendocrine systems. Using whole-cell electrophysiological
techniques combined with immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization
histochemical methods in an acute hypothalamic slice preparation, we are
conducting paralell studies to determine how hypothalamic neuroendocrine
cells develop patterns of electrical activity and hormone secretion, and
how these patterns may influence reproductive and homeostatic behaviors.
The specific areas of study in my laboratory are the following:
1.
Local inhibitory and excitatory synaptic organization of hypothalamic
neurons
2. Cell-specific membrane conductances in hypothalamic
neurons
3. Synaptic regulation of hypothalamic neurons:
a. Glutamate
modulation
b. Norepinephrine modulation
4. Hormone modulation of
hypothalamic neurons:
a. Gonadal steroids
b.
Glucocorticoid
Postdoctoral
Position
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