RESEARCH FOCUS
The aim of our research is to study how synaptic transmission and plasticity of synaptic contacts changes during key periods of development or via pharmacological manipulation in the hippocampus and cortex. Furthermore, to gain an understanding into the underlying mechanisms of the changes observed in information processing disorders, such as mental retardation, at both the cellular and network levels in the brain.
In our department at the VU Amsterdam, we use patch-clamp and multi-electrode electrophysiological techniques to study neuronal and synaptic function both at single-cell and circuit levels within the nervous system. In addition, we combine this with multi-photon microscopy for imaging calcium transients and spine morphology in vitro.
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FUNDING
Research in this group is funded by FRAXA and EU Framework 7 consortium
Last Key Publications
Banerjee A*, Meredith RM*, RodrÃguez-Moreno A, Mierau SB, Auberson YP, Paulsen O). Double dissociation of spike timing-dependent potentiation and depression by subunit-preferring NMDA receptor antagonists in mouse barrel cortex. Cerebral Cortex (2009).
Meredith RM*, Holmgren CD*, Burnashev N, Mansvelder HD. Increased threshold for spike timing-dependent synaptic plasticity is caused by unreliable synaptic calcium signaling in mice lacking Fragile X gene Fmr1. Neuron (2007) 54:627-38.
Testa-Silva G, Loebel A, De Kock CP, Mansvelder HD*, Meredith RM* (2011) Hyperconnectivity and slow synapses during early development of medial prefrontal cortex in a mouse model for mental retardation and autism. Cerebral Cortex. DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhr224
