Neurogenesis in the Adult Animal

Lab MB-03 • Teléfono: 915854651 The work of the group focuses on both basic and therapeutic aspects of the formation of new neurons in the adult brain. Special attention is given to the effect of the physical exercise and an enriched environment or stress. With this goal, we evaluate hippocampus-dependent learning and memory, anxiety-like and depressive-like behaviours, as well as its impairments during some neurodegenerative diseases.

Cellular and molecular regulation of Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis in rodents.

We are working on the analysis of the mechanisms regulating the formation of new neurons in the adult animal by means of several factors both exogen (exercise, environment, stress, social hierarchy and sex behaviour), and endogen (hormonal and trophic milieu). By furthering our understanding of AHN more light will be shed on how mature neurons are normally generated in an adult brain.

Therapies for murine models of neurodegenerative disorders, ischemic insult and depression, acting through modulation of Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis.

The information obtained in the above section of basic investigation will lead to determine the molecules acting in the regulation of adult neurogenesis. Consequently, we will be able to test if they are feasible therapeutic targets. With this goal, we first investigate murine models of neurodegenerative disorders (Alzheimer), ischemic models and depression / stress, analyzing the rate of adult neurogenesis to reveal a relation between impairments of neurogenesis with the ethiopathogeny of these diseases. At the same time, we perform gain- and loss-of-function experiments of these molecules, both in healthy control animals and murine models of diseases. Here we can determine the degree of impact of the disease behaviourally, and also the possible recovery after treatment. These parameters are later analyzed to compare with the neurogenesis rate after the treatment.

 

Most relevant methodology:

• Physic Disector by means of confocal microscopy.
  
  
• Stereology.
  
  
• Behavioural phenotyping of k.o. / transgenic animals.