A5020994937- Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
- Memory and Neural Mechanisms
- Genetics and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Receptor Mechanisms and Signaling
- Stress Responses and Cortisol
- Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
- Neurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanisms
- Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Mechanisms
- Ion channel regulation and function
- Genetic Associations and Epidemiology
- Genomic variations and chromosomal abnormalities
- Congenital heart defects research
- Urinary Tract Infections Management
- Reproductive tract infections research
- Nerve injury and regeneration
- Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
- Endometriosis Research and Treatment
- Bladder and Urothelial Cancer Treatments
- Mitochondrial Function and Pathology
- Gynecological conditions and treatments
- Reproductive System and Pregnancy
- Bipolar Disorder and Treatment
- Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
- Parkinson's Disease Mechanisms and Treatments
- Neuroscience and Neural Engineering
Cardiff University
2015-2024
Mental Health Research UK
2021-2024
Cardiff Metropolitan University
2020
Mental Health Research Institute
2014
Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters
2010
Eastern Virginia Medical School
2010
University of Cambridge
1991-2005
Environmental Protection Agency
2005
University of Liverpool
2001-2003
Liverpool Women's Hospital
2001-2002
The idea that new memories undergo a time-dependent consolidation process after acquisition has received considerable experimental support. More controversial been the demonstration established memories, once recalled, become labile and sensitive to disruption, requiring "reconsolidation" permanent. By infusing antisense oligodeoxynucleotides into hippocampus of rats, we show reconsolidation are doubly dissociable component processes memory. Consolidation involves brain-derived neurotrophic...
Since its discovery almost three decades ago, the secreted neurotrophin brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been firmly implicated in differentiation and survival of neurons CNS. More recently, BDNF also emerged as an important regulator synaptogenesis synaptic plasticity mechanisms underlying learning memory adult In this review we will discuss our knowledge about multiple intracellular signalling pathways activated by BDNF, role long-term formation well synaptogenesis. We show...
The role in spatial divided and sustained attention of D1 D2-like dopamine (DA) receptors the rat prelimbic medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) was investigated a five-choice serial reaction time task. Rats were trained to detect brief flashes light (0.5–0.25 sec) presented randomly array five apertures. When performance stabilized, animals received bilateral microinfusions either DA receptor antagonist SCH 23390, agonist SKF 38393, or D2 sulpiride into mPFC. two groups, with low (<75%...
The neuroanatomical and molecular basis of fear memory retrieval was studied by analyzing the expression plasticity-associated immediate early gene <i>zif268.</i> Cellular quantitative <i>in situ</i> hybridization revealed that<i>zif268</i> is expressed within specific regions hippocampus amygdala during retrieval. Within hippocampus, increased <i>zif268</i> observed CA1 neurons, but not dentate gyrus contextual, cued, associations. In contrast,<i>zif268</i> neurons (lateral, basal, central...
Abstract Fear memory retrieval has been shown to induce a protein‐synthesis dependent re‐consolidation of memories within the amygdala. Here, using immunocytochemistry, we investigated molecular basis this process in rat and show that cued fear induces activation, by phosphorylation, transcription factor CREB basal lateral nuclei amygdala, as well expression CREB‐regulated immediate‐early gene, c‐fos , We also an increase phosphorylation central nucleus amygdala following behavioural...
Abstract The mitochondrial protein, translocator protein (TSPO), is a widely used biomarker of neuroinflammation, but its non-selective cellular expression pattern implies roles beyond inflammatory processes. In the present study, we investigated whether neuronal activity modifies TSPO levels in adult central nervous system. First, single-cell RNA sequencing to generate landscape basal gene hippocampus (12 weeks old) C57BL6/N mice, followed by confocal laser scanning microscopy verify and...
It is essential to understand the molecular processes underlying long-term memory provide therapeutic targets of aberrant that produce pathological behaviour in humans. Under conditions recall, fully-consolidated memories can undergo reconsolidation or extinction. These retrieval-mediated may rely on distinct processes. The cellular mechanisms initiating signature events are not known. Using infusions protein synthesis inhibitors, antisense oligonucleotide targeting brain-derived...
Abstract Common genetic variation contributes a substantial proportion of risk for both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Furthermore, there is evidence significant, but not complete, overlap in between the two disorders. It has been hypothesised that variants conferring these disorders do so by influencing brain development, leading to later emergence symptoms. The comparative profile gene expression disorder across development over different regions however remains unclear. Using...
Abstract We investigated whether the expression of plasticity‐associated gene, zif268, was associated with memories retrieved by exposure to a discrete stimulus that had been cocaine, either self‐administered or administered noncontingently. In absence drug, passive presentation cocaine‐associated light induced changes in zif268 measured situ hybridization within limbic cortical–ventral striatal circuit not only regionally selective but related rats originally received response‐contingent...
<b>Objective:</b> To investigate factors associated with pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). <b>Methods:</b> A case–control study was used to demographic and behavioural factors, causative agents PID. <b>Results:</b> total of 381 participants were recruited: 140 patients, 105 136 controls in tubal ligation general practice groups, respectively. When compared a PID-free control group, increased risk PID with: age <25 years; at first sexual intercourse <20 non-white ethnicity; not having...
Abstract Quantitative in situ hybridization revealed that the expression of plasticity‐associated gene zif268 was increased specific regions rat frontal cortex and nucleus accumbens following fear memory retrieval. Increased observed neurons core during retrieval contextual discrete cued associations. In contrast, additionally induced shell anterior cingulate but not memories. No changes this were seen ventral medial prefrontal or lateral orbitofrontal correlated specifically with memory....
Abstract Whether the consolidation and reconsolidation long‐term memory relies on qualitatively different molecular cellular processes is controversial. Using a novel experimental strategy of combining intrahippocampal antisense oligodeoxynucleotides targeting BDNF or zif268 to block contextual fear respectively, Affymetrix microarray technology, we identified comprehensive list nonoverlapping candidate genes regulated in CA1 during initial stages reconsolidation. RT‐qPCR subsequent...
Abstract Cell signaling is central to neuronal activity and its dysregulation may lead neurodegeneration cognitive decline. Here, we show that selective genetic potentiation of ERK prevents cell death in vitro vivo the mouse brain, while attenuation does opposite. This neuroprotective effect mediated by an enhanced nuclear can also be induced novel penetrating peptide RB5. In administration RB5 disrupts preferential interaction ERK1 MAP kinase with importinα1/KPNA2 over ERK2, facilitates...
Abstract Memory reconsolidation is considered to be the process whereby stored memories become labile on recall, allowing updating. Blocking restabilization of a memory during held result in permanent amnesia. The targeted knockdown either Zif268 or Arc levels brain, and inhibition protein synthesis, after brief recall results non-recoverable retrograde amnesia, known as blockade. These experimental manipulations are seen key proof for existence reconsolidation. However, here we demonstrate...
Genes involved in synaptic plasticity, particularly genes encoding postsynaptic density proteins, have been recurrently linked to psychiatric disorders including schizophrenia and autism. Postsynaptic Homer1 proteins contribute plasticity through the competing actions of short long isoforms. The activity-induced expression isoforms, Homer1a Ania-3, is thought be related processes learning memory. However, precise regulation Ania-3 with different components has not investigated. Here, we used...