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Physiological break in the formation of traumatic memories uncovered
A new study discovered a biological mechanism that may play a role in regulating resilience to adverse life events. Dr. Ana MM Oliveira’s research group and collaborators found that the formation of strong fear memories involves a unique molecular process that is not present during the consolidation of weak fear memories.In mouse experiments, the researchers discovered that the exposure to an aversive experience leads to two periods of high levels of the protein Npas4 in the mouse brain, while a mildly unpleasant event triggered only one. Intriguingly, they found that the second phase appears to function like a “break” that prevents that very strong fear memories are formed. The researchers found that the biphasic elevation of Npas4 protein levels in the brain after a traumatic event led to increased inhibition onto hippocampal cells. This regulation of neuronal activity may be the process by which Npas4 steers fear memories.These findings put forth the novel idea that the brain is equipped with a mechanism that fine-tunes the strength of a memory of an aversive event. Moreover, this study presents a molecular target that can be harnessed to the development of novel therapies.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41380-024-02454-3 |
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Pharmacological Inhibitor Protects Nerve Cells in ALS DiseaseA new pharmacological inhibitor can intervene in a central cell death mechanism that is responsible for the death of motor neurons and hence important for the progression of the motor neuron disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). A research team led by Prof. Dr Hilmar Bading, neurobiologist at Heidelberg University, examined a neuroprotective molecule that belongs to a novel drug class. It is able to inhibit the interactions of certain proteins and has been successfully tested in a mouse model of ALS and in brain organoids of ALS patients. “On the long road to an effective treatment for ALS patients, these findings from basic research may represent a significant step forward,” says Prof. Bading. More... |
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Norepinephrine regulates calcium signals and fate of oligodendrocyte precursor cells in the mouse cerebral cortexHow oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) integrate calcium signals and neuromodulatory cues to regulate fate is unclear. In Nature Communications, Dr. Amit Agarwal and his group report that locomotion-induced norepinephrine release modulates OPC calcium dynamics and differentiation. |
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Neuropharmacologist Prof. Dr Rohini Kuner has been honoured with the Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize of the German Research Foundation (DFG)With the award, the DFG pays tribute to Prof. Kuner’s ground-breaking studies on mechanisms underlying chronic pain. Her research aims to identify the causes in order to address them pharmacologically. Prof. Kuner is the Managing Director of the Institute of Pharmacology, which is based in the Medical Faculty Heidelberg.Prof. Kuner had already addressed the topic of pain research during her doctoral studies in the United States. Her contributions to the mechanisms of pain signal transmission and pain transfer to the central nervous system form an important basis for identifying what triggers chronic pain and for developing new therapeutic methods. Unlike a lot of pain research worldwide, says the German Research Foundation, Prof. Kuner concentrates on systemic approaches and particularly highlights neuroplasticity – the modifiability of neuronal connections in the nervous system that underlie chronic pain. “With the assistance of experimental approaches such as neurogenetic and optogenetic techniques, or methods such as in-vivo imaging and 3D electron microscopy, she was able to define central neural pathways of pain transfer,” the German Research Foundation underlines. Most recently the scientist has been investigating mechanisms of neuropathic pain arising from the severing of nerves. The Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize – the most important research award in Germany – has been awarded annually since 1986 by the German Research Foundation. Up to ten prizes can be awarded each year with prize money of 2.5 million euros each. The awards for the year 2024 go to three women and seven men, including Rohini Kuner and Jonas Grethlein. The purpose of the Leibniz Programme, established in 1985, is to honour outstanding scientists and scholars, to expand their research opportunities and facilitate the employment of particularly qualified early career researchers. The prizes will be presented on 13 March 2024 in Berlin. More... |
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Open positions at the IZN
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A PhD position in the field of neuroimaging, neuroscience and brain tumor immunology is being offered by the Emmy Noether Group “Immuno-Imaging” (Head: PD Dr. Dr. Michael Breckwoldt) as part of SFB 1389
Posted 10.2023 -
The Department of Medical Cell Biology (Prof. Joachim Kirsch) is offering a Post-Doc position working on scientific research projects in the field of molecular and cellular neuroscience, in particular the formation and dynamics of inhibitory synapses.
Posted 10.2023 -
The group of Dr. Magdalene Schlesiger has positions open for PhD, Medical and Master students. The projects aim to investigate how the formation of long-term memories is altered by the addiction to drugs such as amphetamine and cocaine and will use sophisticated electrophysiological in vivo recordings from large ensembles of neurons in mice performing memory tasks.
Posted 07.2023
Contact
IZN Managing Director:
Prof. Dr. Hilmar Bading
IZN-Neurobiology, University of Heidelberg
Im Neuenheimer Feld 366, 1.OG
D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
Phone: | +49 - 6221 - 54 16500 |
Fax: | +49 - 6221 - 54 16524 |
email: | Bading@nbio.uni-heidelberg.de |
IZN Administration & Information:
Antje König
IZN-Neurobiology, University of Heidelberg
Im Neuenheimer Feld 366, 1.OG
D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
Phone: | +49 - 6221 - 54 16501 |
Fax: | +49 - 6221 - 54 16524 |
email: | Sekretariat@nbio.uni-heidelberg.de |
IZN Coordinator:
Dr. Anna Hertle
IZN-Neurobiology, University of Heidelberg
Im Neuenheimer Feld 366, 1.OG
D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
Phone: | +49 - 6221 - 54 16502 |
Fax: | +49 - 6221 - 54 16524 |
email: | IZN.Coordinator@uni-heidelberg.de |
IZN PhD Programme Coordinator:
Prof. Christoph Schuster
IZN Graduate School, University of Heidelberg
Im Neuenheimer Feld 366, 1.OG
D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
Office hours: Tuesday, 11:00–16:00
Phone: | +49 - 6221 - 54 16503 |
Fax: | +49 - 6221 - 54 16524 |
email: |
IZN-GradSchool@uni-heidelberg.de
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Ana Oliveira
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