Position Host institution PhD enrolment Start date Duration
ESR4 P2-CNR Y (at U Padova/Milano) early 2017 36 months


Project Title:

Neuron-glia interactions in neurovascular coupling

 


Objectives:

Activation of astroglia by neuronal signals plays a central role in the control of cerebral blood flow (CBF, neurovascular coupling). How does epileptiform activity, in the acute and chronic state, affect Ca2+ levels in astroglial endfeet and how could a defect in astroglial activation impair the CBF response to seizures? Neurons can suffer a metabolic disruption that may firstly, impair the ability of neurons to function properly and thus leading to seizure cessation, and secondly, lead to the neuronal death associated with chronic epilepsy.

 

Methodology:

A combination of electrophysiology and Ca2+ imaging techniques at high spatial and temporal resolution will be employed to monitor simultaneously neuronal activity and Ca2+ signals of both neurons and astroglia in acute brain slices, isolated brain preparations, and in vivo experiments.

 

Giorgio CarmignotoGCarmignoto
Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
http://www.biomed.unipd.it/ricerca/gruppi-di-ricerca/astroglia-signalling-in-brain-function