Adrenergic Modulation of Seizures and Neurodegeneration

The broad, long-term objective of this project is to find better therapies for preventing brain damage caused by recurring epileptic seizures, while eliminating the undesirable side-effects associated with current medications. To achieve this goal, this project uses a cross-disciplinary approach involving electrophysiology, molecular biology and advanced microscopic imaging techniques to investigate the actions of norepinephrine (NE), a neurotransmitter with potent antiepileptic properties in vivo, in the hippocampus, a recognized center of epileptic activity and neurodegeneration. The cellular heterogeneity of the brain often poses difficulty when investigating the functional role of specific neurons related to a neurological process. One such heterogeneous area, the CA1 region of the rat hippocampus, possesses a number of different cells thought to play key roles in disorders such as epilepsy and Alzheimer’s disease. Characterizing the molecular constitution of these cells is a critical step in the discovery of new receptor targets, which could be utilized pharmacologically. Completion of the specific aims for this project could result in the elucidation of a novel strategy for the treatment of epileptic seizures.

Van Doze, Ph.D.