Neuroscience seminars

Cagla Eroglu presents research on how astrocytes regulate synaptic connectivity during development, function and plasticity. The seminar examines molecular and cellular mechanisms that shape neural circuits using imaging, mouse models and complementary experimental approaches.

The brain adjusts its internal activity to direct visual and auditory attention and regulate responses to external stimuli. Appropriate endogenous activity may support normal cognition and behaviour, while its modulation can also produce dysfunction. Beginning with mathematical models of general anaesthesia, this talk examines how changes in noisy endogenous activity can fragment functional brain organization and account for loss of consciousness. Anaesthesia experiments in ferrets support the theoretical result. Further experimental examples are discussed to show how underlying internal noise may help explain observed transitions between brain states.

Kuan Hong Wang examines how dopaminergic, cannabinoid, and neuroimmune signaling regulate circuit plasticity across development, experience, and disease, and how cross-species work may inform selective therapies.

John N. Constantino and Jeffrey Borenstein examine how individualized education planning can support children with developmental, behavioral and mental-health challenges. Educators and counselors often recognize difficulties early, and the extensive time children spend at school offers a major opportunity to support maturation alongside clinical care. The discussion explores the complexities of individualized education plans and how educators and clinicians can apply precision-medicine approaches to tailor them to each child, making everyday school experiences more effective for development and adaptation.