Cellular mechanisms of inert gas narcosis and bareosensitivity in mammalian neurons
Abstract
Inert Gas Narcosis (IGN) and High Pressure Nervous Syndrome (HPNS) are limiting factors in Naval unique Special Warfare/Special Operations diving maneuvers. The underlying neural mechanism responsible for each disorder is largely unknown. The goal of this basic research project is to identify how the stimuli associated with IGN and HPNS interact to alter the functional output of neurons in a representative animal model of the mammalian central nervous system (mCNS)—the rat brain slice preparation. A hyperbaric inert gas-?O2 mixture perturbs brain function through at least three potential stimuli, which include the following: the inert gas’ i) narcotic potency as determined by its MW, lipid solubility and partial pressure; and ii) redox capacity as determined by its reactivity with molecular oxygen to generate, first, singlet oxygen and second, various reactive species. In addition, the total pressure of the inert gas mixture exerts hydrostatic pressure on the brain which alters neuronal activity based on the neuron’s iii) barosensitivity. We plan to study the relative effects of each of these three stimuli on neuronal activity using electrophysiology and fluorescence imaging techniques customized for use inside a hyperbaric chamber.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 12, 2016
- Source ID
- N000141512572
Entities
People
- Jay B. Dean
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of South Florida