Position Host institution PhD enrolment Start date Duration
ESR5 P3-FINCB Y (at U Milano/Pavia) early 2017 36 months


Project Title:

Glia dysfunction associated to seizures and status epilepticus in animal models and humans

Diogo VilaVerde

DVilaVerde


Objectives:

Sustained seizure activity alters both glial function and blood-brain barrier permeability. These changes may promote tissue adjustments that influence the process of epileptogenesis. Here, it will be tested whether seizures worsen epileptogenesis through glia-mediated mechanisms. For analysis the ex vivo isolated whole guinea pig brain preparation as well as in vivo rodent models will be used. Access to post-surgical human tissue from the local Epilepsy Surgery Program is available. Inflammatory and blood-brain barrier molecules will be studied with detailed histochemical and molecular evaluation of cellular and subcellular astro- and microglial markers.

 

Methodology:

Neurophysiological, histological and molecular techniques will be employed. The ESR will be trained to run in vivo video-EEG experiments on chronic animal models of temporal lobe epilepsy and in vitro experiments on brain slices and on the isolated guinea pig brain preparation. The research will compare human tissue obtained from epilepsy surgery (temporal lobe epilepsies and focal cortical dysplasias) and animal models to identify the role of seizure activity on astro/microglia activation. 7T magnetic resonance imaging studies (including DTI and high-resolution spectroscopy) of animal model and human post-surgical and experimental tissue will be used.

 

Marco de CurtisPHO 1017171216
Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico "Carlo Besta"

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.http://www.istituto-besta.it/Area-Ricerca.aspx?doc=Elenco-Unita-Operative&IdUO=UO-EPILETTOLOGIACLINICAENEUROFISIOLOGIASPERIMENTALE