Charles W. Bourque, PhD

Laboratory studies involve the mammalian brain monitors the ratio of salt to water (fluid osmolality) via special neurons called osmoreceptors. Dr. Bourque's interests include how mechanosensitive ion channels and neuro-glial interactions allow osmoreceptors to detect changes in extracellular fluid osmolality. He is also interested in how synaptic signals distributed in central osmoregulatory circuits mediate changes in behavior (thirst, salt appetite), hormone release and autonomic function to adjust blood pressure, blood volume and fluid osmolality. Finally, his interests pursue in mechanisms that modulate osmoregulatory circuits. In particular, investigating the basis for modulation by changes in blood volume and body temperature, as well as for the circadian modulation of osmoregulatory function. Genetic or sporadic alterations in these processes likely underlie a number of diseases of body-fluid and cardiovascular balance, including some forms of hypertension.Actin, angiotensin, burst firing, calcium channels, cytoskeleton, mechanotransduction, neurohypophysis, neurophysiology, osmoreception, osmoregulation, oxytocin, patch-clamp, sodium sensing, supraoptic nucleus, suprachiasmatic nucleus, synapse, transient receptor potential, TRPV, thermosensitivity, thirst, vasopressin