Email to a colleague
View Printer Friendly           Home | Other Research | 2007 Summer Fellowship Opportunity

Current Medical Student Summer Research Fellows

·	Current Medical Student Research Fellows

Shimon Aronhime Preceptor: H. Richard Winn, MD Institution: Mount Sinai School of Medicine In this study we intend to investigate the mechanism of adenosine release by astrocytes. Adenosine has been shown by to be a major metabolite that controls cerebral blood flow at the arteriole level. The cellular source of adenosine however, is not completely understood. Due to the fact that astrocytes connect neurons to the surrounding vasculature, we will explore the possibility that glia are involved in adenosine production. Since glutamate is the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain, we will first test the hypothesis that glutamate uptake is involved in adenosine release. We will then investigate whether astrocytes release adenosine as a result of glutamate receptor activation. Finally, we will test whether adenosine is derived from glutamate-induced ATP release by astrocytes. By attempting to identify the cellular source of adenosine, we will gain further understanding concerning the mechanisms of production, action and regulation of adenosine in the brain during functional activation.