Giorgio Carmignoto

CNR
Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche
University of Padova
Institute of Neuroscience
Viale G. Colombo 3
35121 Padova
Italy

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www.biomed.unipd.it/ricerca/gruppi-di-ricerca/astroglia-signalling-in-brain-function

The Institute of Neuroscience belongs to the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), the main public research organisation in Italy. The laboratory is also associated with the Department of Biomedical Science of the University of Padova. Since 1994 the central theme of the group is the specific signalling between neurons and astrocytes. Among obtained results are the first evidence for the ability of astrocytes i) to be activated by neurotransmitter synaptic release; ii) to work as principal mediators of neurovascular coupling (according to ISI Thomson, Zonta et al. Nat. Neurosci. 2003, is one of the most cited recent papers in the field of Neuroscience & Behavior); iii) to generate neuronal synchrony by acting on extrasynaptic NMDA receptors; iv) to contribute to focal seizure generation.