Principal Investigators

    Eric Hanse

    Institution

    University of Gothenburg

    Contact information of lead PI

    Country

    Sweden

    Title of project or programme

    Extrasynaptic glutamate signalling and synapoptosis in brain development and degeneration

    Source of funding information

    Swedish Research Council

    Total sum awarded (Euro)

    € 348,205

    Start date of award

    01/01/2013

    Total duration of award in years

    4

    Keywords

    Research Abstract

    Elimination of synapses, or synapoptosis, is one of the most prominent features of brain development, but also of degenerative brain disorders. Yet, very little is known about the initiation, the regulation and the mechanisms underlying synapoptosis. In this research program we propose the hypothesis that the combined activation of synaptic AMPA receptors and extrasynaptic NMDA receptors is the initiating step for synapoptosis of glutamate synapses. We further suggest that the loss of synaptic receptors renders the synapses susceptible for physical elimination by microglia via activation of the complement system. The proposed research aims to test this hypothesis by using a combination of electrophysiology and two-photon microscopy in living brain tissue. To test specific aspects of the hypothesis we will use transgenic animals, pharmacology, immunohistochemistry and cerebrospinal fluid from patients suffering from neurodegenerative disorders. Synapoptosis is clearly a double-edged sword, decisive for proper development of the brain, but also detrimental in neurodegenerative diseases. To develop new strategies for treating neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders we need to diminish the large gap in our understanding of the basic mechanisms of synapoptosis. We take here a comparative approach to study developmental and degenerative synapoptosis in parallel, with the aim to diminish this gap.

    Further information available at:

Types: Investments < €500k
Member States: Sweden
Diseases: N/A
Years: 2016
Database Categories: N/A
Database Tags: N/A

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