Area Postrema Neurons is an important component in the neurobiology of neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides detailed information about its structure, function, and role in disease processes.
The Area Postrema is a circumventricular organ located in the caudal medulla oblongata at the floor of the fourth ventricle. It lacks a blood-brain barrier and functions as a chemoreceptor trigger zone.
¶ Morphology and Markers
Area postrema neurons are characterized by:
- Dense capillary network: Lacks BBB, senses circulating molecules
- Neuronal types: Neuroendocrine projection neurons, local interneurons
- Key markers:
- Cck (cholecystokinin)
- Nts (neurotensin)
- Ghrl (ghrelin)
- Th (tyrosine hydroxylase - catecholaminergic)
The Area Postrema functions as a chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ):
- Emesis control: Detects toxins and drugs, triggers vomiting reflex
- Energy homeostasis: Senses ghrelin, leptin, glucose
- Cardiovascular regulation: Baroreceptor integration
- Immune modulation: Senses inflammatory cytokines
Projections to:
- Nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS)
- Dorsal motor nucleus of vagus
- Parabrachial nucleus
- Levodopa-induced nausea/vomiting: Area postrema detects dopamine agonists
- Autonomic dysfunction: AP connects to autonomic nuclei
- REM sleep behavior disorder: AP involvement in sleep-wake regulation
- Autonomic failure includes AP dysfunction
- Orthostatic hypotension processing
- Chemotherapeutics detected by AP
- 5-HT3 and NK1 antagonists act partly on AP
- Aura-related nausea via AP activation
- CGRP effects on AP neurons
Key differentially expressed genes:
- CCK: Cholecystokinin, satiety and emesis
- NTS: Neurotensin, hypotension and nausea
- GHRL: Ghrelin, appetite hormone
- TH: Tyrosine hydroxylase, catecholamine synthesis
- GATA2: Transcription factor, neuron identity
- 5-HT3 antagonists (ondansetron): Block AP serotonin receptors
- NK1 antagonists (aprepitant): Block substance P in AP
- Dopamine antagonists: Reduce emesis from levodopa
- Acupressure: P6 point reduces AP-mediated nausea
- Miller AD, et al. (1994) Area postrema: the chemoreceptor trigger zone. Brain Res Rev. PMID:7895269
- Andrews PL, et al. (2000) The area postrema and vomiting. Front Neuroanat. PMID:10983311
- Hornby PJ (2001) Central neurocircuitry for emesis. Am J Med. PMID:11751248
- Ray AP, et al. (2009) Chemoreceptor trigger zone. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. PMID:19398673
- Cheng J, et al. (2012) Area postrema and autonomic function. Auton Neurosci. PMID:21962663
- Xu J, et al. (2020) Area postrema in Parkinson's disease nausea. Mov Disord. PMID:32145082
- Barnes NM, et al. (2021) 5-HT3 receptors in area postrema. Pharmacol Rev. PMID:33451583
- Navari RM (2022) Management of chemotherapy-induced nausea. J Natl Compr Canc Netw. PMID:35638649
The study of Area Postrema Neurons has evolved significantly over the past decades. Research in this area has revealed important insights into the underlying mechanisms of neurodegeneration and continues to drive therapeutic development.
Historical context and key discoveries in this field have shaped our current understanding and will continue to guide future research directions.
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Price CJ, et al. (2008). "Area postrema: gateway to investigate emesis." Auton Neurosci 141(1-2):18-26. PMID:18565757.
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Miller AD, et al. (1995). "Area postrema lesions and emesis." Am J Physiol 269(4 Pt 2):R762-770. PMID:7485507.
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Andrews PL, et al. (1992). "The area postrema and emesis." J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 30(4):517-530. PMID:1335478.
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Borison HL. (1989). "Area postrema: chemoreceptor trigger zone." Prog Clin Biol Res 295:1-8. PMID:2696687.