Neurophysiology & Behavior Lab

Cellular mechanisms underlying the development of prefrontal cortical function in early postnatal and adolescent mice

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The prefrontal cortex is known to develop and mature slower compared to other brain regions, such as the primary visual or somatosensory cortex.  

We study the development of prefrontal cortical function conducting behavioral, electrophysiological and histological experiments in different age-groups of mice, from the juvenile period to adulthood, paying particular attention to adolescence.  Specifically,

1. we conduct several tests for memory functions and emotional processing, such as different types of object recognition tests, delayed alternation test in the T-maze, context fear conditioning, open-field test, and elevated plus maze.

2. we perform field and whole-cell patch-clamp recordings to study synaptic plasticity, intrinsic neuronal properties and delayed after-depolarization.

3. We use histological analysis to study dendritic structure of pyramidal neurons and expression of different markers of glutamatergic and GABAergic function.

 

Related publications

Konstantoudaki et al, 2017, J Neurophysiology

 

 

Cellular mechanisms of long-term potentiation in the prefrontal cortex

 

The long-term potentiation is a well known mechanism of learning and memory, and has been studied extensively in the hippocampus.  Although LTP is likely to be infolved in prefrontal cortical function (Touzani et al, 2007, PNAS), we know very little of the mechanisms involved in LTP, as well as how LTP is involved in prefrontal cortical function.

 

We study the mechanisms of LTP induction in layer II intracortical networks in the mouse prefrontal cortex.

 

Related publications

Konstandoudaki et al, 2016, Neuroscience

Konstantoudaki et al, 2017, J Neurophysiology

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Cellular and synaptic mechanisms of persistent activity

 

Persistent activity is known to underlie working memory.  The two main cellular mechanisms that underlie include the NMDA current (Wang et al, 2013, Neuron) and a non-selective cation current that generates the delayed afterdepolarization (dADP). The dADP is induced by Gq-coupled receptor activation (such as muscarinic acetylcholine receptors or  the metabotropic glutamate receptors) concurrent action potential generation.  

 

The dADP is also induced by synaptic activation and can underlie the generation of persistent activity in vitro in brain slices (Sidiropoulou et al, 2009).

 

Related publications

Sidiropoulou et al, 2009, Nature Neuroscience

Fowler et al, 2007, Plos One

Sidiropoulou and Poirazi, 2012, Plos Computational Biology

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Interactions between metabolic pathways and synaptic plasticity

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In recent years, it is increasingly understood that different metabolic pathways contribute to both emergence and maintenance of synaptic plasticity. In collaboration with Vasiliki Nikoletopoulou, we are investigating the effects of autophagy pathways to long-term potentiation and long-term depression. 

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Furthermore, in collaboration with Kleanthi Spanaki, we are investigating the role of glutamate dehydrogenase in synaptic plasticity and memory.

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Related publications

Nikoletopoulou et al, 2017, Cell Metabolism

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