The sense of taste is critical for identifying nutrients (electrolytes, carbohydrates and proteins) from toxins (plant alkaloids). Animals show innate preferences for nutrients and avoid ingesting toxins, but these stereotypical behaviors can be reversed with experience. I am interested in the neural structure (anatomy) and function (physiology) of orosensation (taste, mechanosensation, and thermosensation), taste perception and oromotor reflexes (licking, chewing, swallowing, and gaping). Currently, I use a multifaceted approach (neurophysiology, immunohistochemistry and optogenetics) to study the structure and function of orosensation in the murine-nervous system. I also have interest in the structure and function of chemosensation (taste and smell) and behavior in other model organisms, such as insects and amphibians.
Leijon SCM, Neves AF, Breza JM, Simon SA, Chaudhari N, Roper SD (2019) Oral thermosensing by murine trigeminal neurons: modulation by capsaicin, menthol, and mustard oil. bioRxiv 486480; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/486480
Travers SP, Breza JM, Harley J, Zhu J, and Travers JB. Neurons with diverse phenotypes project from the caudal to the rostral nucleus of the solitary tract. J Comp Neurol. 1-20, (2018).
Raymond MA, Mast TG, and Breza JM. An Open-source lickometer and microstructure analysis program. HardwareX 4(e00035), 2018.\
Whiddon ZD, Rynberg ST, Mast TG, Breza JM. Aging Decreases Chorda-Tympani Nerve Responses to NaCl and Alters Morphology of Fungiform Taste Pores in Rats. Chem Senses 43(2): 117-28, 2018.
Mast TG, Breza JM, Contreras RJ. Thirst Increases Chorda Tympani Responses to Sodium Chloride. Chem Senses 42(8): 675-81, 2017.
Lu BO, Breza JM, and Contreras RJ. Temperature Influences Chorda Tympani Nerve Responses to Sweet, Salty, Sour, Umami, and Bitter Stimuli in Mice. Chem Senses41(9): 727-36, 2016.
Breza JM and Travers SP. P2X2 Terminal Field Demarcates a “Transition Zone” for Gustatory and Mechanosensory Processing in the Mouse Nucleus Tractus Solitarius. Chem Senses 41(6):515-24, 2016.