Research Interests:
The sense of taste is critical for identifying nutrients (electrolytes, carbohydrates and proteins) and toxins (plant alkaloids) to serve ingestion and protect the organism from harm, respectively. I investigate taste quality coding and intensity in peripheral gustatory neurons in the rat geniculate ganglion via extracellular neurophysiology. Specifically, how sodium responses (neuronal spike rates/patterns) are modulated by large organic anions and intracellular pH. pH.
Reasons for Selecting Florida State University
The Neuroscience program has a long history of research in sensory systems and a very respectable reputation in the chemoreceptive sciences.
Abstracts / Posters
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Breza, J.M., Nikonov, A., and Contreras, R.J. Response Latency to Lingual
Chemical Stimulation Distinguishes Neuron Types Within the Geniculate
Ganglion. (Abstract).
Poster presented at the Association for Chemical Senses meeting, Sarasota, FL 2009. -
Nikonov, A.A., Breza J.M., and Contreras, R.J. Chemical Specificity of
Rodent Geniculate Ganglion Neurons Characterized by Their Responses to KCl
and Citric Acid. (Abstract).
Poster presented at the International Symposium for Olfaction and Taste, San Francisco, CA 2008. -
Breza, J.M. and Contreras, R.J. Organic Salts, Organic Acids, and Benzamil
Differentially Modulate the Responses of Rat Geniculate Ganglion Neurons to
Salt. (Abstract).
Poster presented at the International Symposium for Olfaction and Taste, San Francisco, CA 2008. -
Breza, J.M. and Contreras, R.J. Neurophysiology of Gustatory Neurons in
the Rat Geniculate Ganglion. Chemical Senses (Abstract).
Poster presented at the Association for Chemical Senses meeting, Sarasota, FL 2007. -
Breza, J.M., Curtis, K.S., and Contreras, R.J. Temperature Modulates
Behavioral Responses to Sucrose in the Rat. Chemical Senses (Abstract).
Poster presented at the Association for Chemical Senses meeting, Sarasota, FL 2006. - Breza, JM, KS Curtis, and RJ Contreras. Responses of gustatory neurons in the geniculate ganglion to L-MSG and linoleic acid. Chemical Senses (Abstr.) 30: A93, 2005
- Breza, JM, KS Curtis, and RJ Contreras. Chemical and thermal responses of gustatory neurons in the geniculate ganglion. Chemical Senses (Abstr.) 30: A25, 2004.
Publications
- Breza, J.M., Curtis KS, and Contreras RJ. Monosodium Glutamate but not Linoleic Acid Differentially Activates Na+ Sensitive and Sucrose Sensitive Gustatory Neurons in the Rat Geniculate Ganglion. Chem Senses, 32(9):833- 46, 2007. PDF
- Breza, JM, Curtis KS, and Contreras RJ. Temperature Modulates Taste Responsiveness and Stimulates Gustatory Neurons in the Rat Geniculate Ganglion. J. Neurophysiol., 95: 674-685, 2006. PDF
Grants
- Recipient of the Predoctoral Chemosensory Training Grant-DC00044, 08/07-08/09.
- Recipient of the NIH Predoctoral NRSA Training Grant-1F31DC009920-01A2, 12/09-12/11.
Publications
- Breza JM, Curtis KS, Contreras RJ. Monosodium glutamate but not linoleic acid differentially activates gustatory neurons in the rat geniculate ganglion. Chem Senses. 32(9):833-46. (2007)
- Breza JM, Curtis KS, Contreras RJ. Temperature modulates taste responsiveness and stimulates gustatory neurons in the rat geniculate ganglion. J Neurophysiol. 95(2):674-85. (2006) PDF