Synaptic activity

Developing a technology able to measure in-vivo and non-invasively the electrical activity of the human spinal cord would fulfill an important and still unmet need in both basic and clinical research. In this work, we describe a novel recording and analysis pipeline to obtain non-invasive, high-resolution images of the electrical activity of the spinal cord in humans (Electrical Spinal Imaging, ESI). Using this approach, we provide a detailed description and physiological characterization of the spatiotemporal dynamics of the peripheral, spinal and cortical activity elicited by somatosensory s

…remain constant over time, the neural activity mediating memory-guided behavior is dynamic. In PL, different neurons underlie recent and remote memory retrieval and remote memory-encoding neurons have

…proteome requirements for appropriate synaptic activity. While certain proteins have local mRNA that allows for on-demand synthesis at the synapse, the vast majority do not. This poses an important question: how can these proteins manage their copy number without boosting the synthesis rate locally? This study looks into the hypothesis that the amount of the protein pool in dendrites corresponds with the presence or lack of dendritic mRNA for local

…proposed to fine-tune brain circuits: activity or genetics-dependent processes. Experimental evidence supports both options, suggesting a balanced contribution of each. In this study, we explored the interplay between synaptic activity and gene expression during developmental critical periods in olivo-cerebellar circuitry. Early postnatally, cerebellar Purkinje cells (PC) are connected by multiple climbing fibers (CF) emerging from the inferior olive in th

…firing properties and functional synaptic activity. Previous studies primarily have focused on rats, but utilizing novel tools tailored for mouse models with electrophysiological recordings offers deeper insights into postnatal development

A key question in neuroscience is how neurons compute their specialized output from their synaptic inputs. Another key question is whether this computation is shaped by non-linear dendritic integration. To answer these questions, it would be ideal to map synaptic activity while recording dendritic and somatic responses. We developed a strategy to simultaneously measure glutamate synaptic release and postsynaptic responses in L2/3 pyramidal neurons in the mouse primary visual cortex. We sparsely coexpressed two sensors: the green membrane sensor iGluSnFR3, reporting presynaptic release of gluta

Smith Magenis syndrome (SMS) is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder resulting from a microdeletion on chromosomal region 17p11.2, which includes the Retinoic acid-induced 1 (RAI1) gene. Individuals with SMS exhibit a spectrum of psychiatric and neurological manifestations, such as developmental delays, behavioral disturbances, an intellectual disability (ID), and a circadian disorder. Additionally, they may present symptoms typical of Parkinsonism. Despite the availability of rodent models for SMS, the lack of cellular models and potential treatments has limited an in-depth study. In this resea

As the human population ages the case of brain degenerative diseases will rise. The current treatment has a momentary effect and lacks an investigative system that is functionally applicable for testing. Though an optogenetic model and in vitro disease require a three-dimensional microenvironment, there is evidence that optogenetic stimulation is a viable approach. Differentiated SHSY-5Y cells were encapsulated in a 3D hydrogel (Gelatin Methacrylate) matrix in a multiplex system to examine the effects of optogenetic stimulation on neural development. SHSY-5Y cells are a human neuroblastoma ce

Astrocytes are crucial for modulating synaptic activity and behavior through bidirectional communication with neurons. They sense and respond to neuronal activity by elevating intracellular calcium levels, which display complex spatiotemporal properties. To disclose its implications for behavior, we studied the IP3 receptor type 2 knockout (IP3R2 KO) mouse model that lacks global calcium elevations in astrocytes. We found that mice lacking IP3R2 display enhanced fear memory. Molecular analysis of hippocampal tissues revealed hundreds of up or down-regulated genes, among which 76 of those are m

Astrocytes and neurons collaboratively shape neural networks, influencing metabolism, synapse formation, and network dynamics. Dysfunctions in either cell type are implicated in diverse brain disorders. In order to gain insight into the transcriptional profile of hiPSC-derived astrocytes and neurons, we performed scRNA analysis and compared astrocytes and neurons before and after co-culture.Sequencing with Illumina Novaseq6000, preprocessing with 10x Genomics CellRanger. Custom R/Seurat pipeline for data analysis.NGN2 neurons were identified as excitatory. Within the astrocyte population we ob

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disease. Primary symptoms of PD arise with the loss of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the Substantia Nigra Pars Compacta, but it affects the hippocampus and cortex also, usually in its later stage. Approximately 15% of PD cases are familial with a genetic mutation. Two of the most associated genes with autosomal recessive (AR) early-onset familial PD are PINK1 and PRKN. There is a need for in-vitro studies of these genetic mutations in order to understand the neurophysiological changes in patients' neurons that may contribut