2461
Wang Hongsheng
PI
Brain-Body Interplay under Depression
Stress is a critical contributing factor to the development of various psychiatric and emotional disorders. Psychological and social stress responses often originate in the brain but are not confined to it. In fact, descending signals can induce widespread alterations in sensory, motor, and visceral functions, while peripheral changes feed back to the brain, cyclically amplifying the effects of stress in an "oscillatory" manner.
Research Focus
Our group investigates the spinal cord—a relay hub connecting the brain with peripheral sensory, motor, and visceral systems (consider its dorsal, ventral, and lateral horns). We aim to dissect ascending and descending direct projections, particularly those mediated by neuropeptides (circuitry and molecular signaling), and utilize this framework to explore the mechanisms underlying brain-body interactions.
Specific Objectives
Functional Specificity: Characterize the roles of distinct ascending/descending peptidergic circuits and G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling in physiological states.
Pathophysiological Dynamics: Investigate how these circuits and signals are disrupted during stress and depression.
Translational Strategies: Develop somatic sensory stimulation-based approaches to modulate visceral activity and emotional states in the brain, with a focus on elucidating their circuit-level mechanisms.
