Topic: group I metabotropic glutamate receptors

Astrocytes, beyond their pivotal role as supporting cells, are recently considered to be dynamic modulators of neuronal activity and synaptic plasticity. This effect is mainly through their Ca2+ signaling cascades which result in a release of gliotransmitters. Glutamate as an important neurotransmitter which is crucial for many cognitive functions can modulate astrocytic Ca2+ signaling via their receptors. Considering that these processes have largely been studied in young animals, along with the association of aging with various diseases, this study aims to explore the age-dependent changes i

Activation of group I metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR) in the brain mediates changes in neuronal excitability, synaptic transmission, and network activity of cortical circuits and has been linked to learning-related plasticity, brain state-modulation as well as various human neurological disorders but studies investigating their effect in human brain are scarce and mostly focused on excitatory neurons. We studied the effects of group I mGluR activation on monosynaptic glutamatergic synapses arriving onto interneurons and disynaptic GABAergic synapses using dual whole-cell patch clamp r

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder with genetic and environmental origins. Alterations in sensory disturbance have been clinically linked to socio-emotional problems in individuals with ASD but remain understudied in the research field. Recent evidence has shown that the prefrontal cortex (PFC), a brain region plays an essential role in social cognition, is involved in pain management. Hence, this study aims to qualify nociceptive response of ASD and the implication of PFC. Valproate (VPA)-exposed offspring and Tsc2 heterozygous knockout (Tsc2+/-) mic

Group I metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR) are involved in various forms of synaptic plasticity that underlie declarative memory by inducing long-term depression (mGluR-LTD). mGLUR-LTD results from an endocytosis of the α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptors (AMPARs) underlying synaptic depression. The lab has previously shown that mGluR5 specifically activates TRPC1 channel, a Transient Receptor Potential channel that is highly expressed in CA1-3 regions of the hippocampus.To investigate the role of mGluR-TRPC1 in synaptic plasticity, and to decipher its downstre