Major research topics
- Ex vivo brain slice investigation on the mechanisms of epileptic activity
- Analysis of neuronal plasticity processes and the role of cytoplasmic proteases
- Neuronal effects of environmental pollutants
We examine the basic mechanisms of synchronization occurring during epileptic seizure activity, as well as some pharmacological and biochemical processes influencing seizure susceptibility. We analyze the characteristics and pharmacological sensitivity of chemically induced seizure activity in isolated and combined brain slices.
The role of the excitatory amino acid transmitter system is crucial in the nervous system during learning, developmental, ischemic or other degenerative processes. Different proteolytic processes underlie of these plastic changes, which have key roles in receptor sensitivity changes or in the rearrangement of the cytoskeleton. We analyze the alteration of biochemical processes induced by neurodegenerative insults together with alterations in excitability, in elemental learning and in regeneration processes.
The entire living world, including humanity is exposed to an increasing environmental load; the exact neural effects of this are very poorly understood. In our laboratory, we analyze the effects on neural functions of environmental pollutants entering the organism accidentally or with food (pesticide residues, mycotoxins, heavy metals). Experiments are carried out on rat brain slices and surviving brain preparations of the carp.