Research

Hippocampus is composed of several cell types including neurons (red) and astrocytes (violet). Using immunohistochemistry and qRT-PCR we study the expression of various plasticity-related molecules (example shown in green).

Psychological stress induces neuronal responses that can be either adaptive and directed toward maintaining homeostasis, or maladaptive leading to severe behavioural abnormalities. Understanding neural bases of stress, fear and anxiety is of an immense importance to modern society. Anxiety disorders affect about  25% of adults at least once in their lives, and make a huge social, family and welfare impact. The most dramatic form, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is characterized by cognitive impairment, depression, fear, anxiety, and may eventually lead to suicide. Understanding of the neural mechanisms of PTSD and other anxiety disorders could reduce the personal and societal impact through development of more efficient therapies.

How is fear and anxiety formed in the brain? Fear memories are encoded as changes in strength of synaptic connections, a process called plasticity. However, the molecular mechanisms that facilitate stress-induced behavioural abnormalities remain unclear. Two brain regions critically involved in fear responses are the amygdala and the hippocampus. We study stress-regulated genes in these areas using a combination of genetic, cell biological, pharmacological, electrophysiological and behavioural  approaches.

We are particularly interested in the role that extracellular proteases, their receptors (PARs) and the extracellular matrix play in experience-induced plasticity in the limbic system. Another area of interest is the involvement of ephrins and their receptors Eph’s in these processes. We use an interdisciplinary approach to better understand the role of the above molecules in the central nervous system physiology.

We hope that these studies may help design more efficient drugs to combat anxiety disorders.