Projects
Neuronal networks in vitro: spontaneous activity and synaptic plasticity in health and disease. University of Antwerp
NEURON II - Proteolytic remodeling of the extracellular matrix in aberrant synaptic plasticity underlying epilepsy evoked by traumatic brain injury (TBI Epilepsy). University of Antwerp
Understanding the role of the TRPM4 ion channel in synaptic long-term potentiation and memory-formation. KU Leuven
Synaptic plasticity (i.e. strengthening or weakening of communication between neurons) a fundamental mechanism in the brain regulating complex tasks like memory is acquisition. Detailed knowledge of this process would open new possibilities to enhance learning and memory, and to treat disorders such as dementia, post--‐‑traumatic stress syndrome and drug addiction.
Our preliminary data show that mice and rats lacking a TRP ion channel, ...
Tau-dependent synaptic remodeling in health and disease KU Leuven
Tau is a neuronal microtubule-associated protein under normal conditions. However, stressful triggers like toxic protein aggregates or traumatic brain injury can cause its detachment and invasion of synaptic terminals, leading to synapse loss. Interestingly, cold stress-induced torpor in hamsters also results in Tau detachment and massive synapse loss, indicating that Tau may be responsible for executing stress signals that cause synapses to ...
Maintaining synaptic function for a healthy brain: Membrane trafficking and autophagy in neurodegeneration KU Leuven
Neurodegeneration is characterized by misfolded proteins and dysfunctional synapses. Synapses are often located very far away from their cell bodies and they must therefore largely independently cope with the unfolded, dysfunctional proteins that form as a result of synaptic activity and stress. My hypothesis is that synaptic terminals have adopted specific mechanisms to maintain robustness over their long lives and that these may become ...
Unraveling the molecular programs that generate synaptic diversity in the hippocampus. KU Leuven
While the biochemical aspects of Alzheimer's disease (AD) are becoming increasingly unraveled, much less is known about the cellular processes that underlie the gradual transition from prodromal to clinical disease. Emerging evidence suggests that GABAergic interneurons contribute to early circuit dysfunction in AD, but why interneurons might be vulnerable is not understood. Elucidating the pathogenic mechanisms underlying the early stages of ...
Unveiling the molecular correlates of early synaptic dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease KU Leuven
Synapses are structures that allow the neurons to be connected and store memories. Synapses are perturbed in very early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Nonetheless, previous studies in animals models have been carried out at late stages of the disease, where the ongoing pathogenic processes are very complex, making it difficult to understand the initial triggers of the disease. Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease and recent ...
A quantum leap: from a spike-centered brrain universe to its underlying synaptic landscape (BRAINLEAP). University of Antwerp
Endocannabinoid signaling in adolescent mice: a possible brake on crossmodal brain plasticity KU Leuven
Monocular enucleation (ME) is a highly reproducible and well-characterized model to study brain plasticity at the level of the visual cortex. In adult mice, neuronal reactivation in the deprived visual areas is established by an early open eye potentiation phase followed by a whisker-driven crossmodal recovery. Previous research of the lab revealed an incomplete take-over by somatosensation in the medial monocular zone of adolescent mice due ...