Investigations of the role of metabotropic glutamate receptors in learning and memory processes in health and disease

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Denise Manahan-Vaughan
• Subject Area: Molecular Biology and Physiology of Neurons and Glial Cells
• Term: from 2008 to 2013
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 74974366

In substantial previous work that underpins this project, we established that metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) are essential for long-term and persistent expression of synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus, the primary memory structure in the mammalian brain. Synaptic plasticity is widely supported as the cellular mechanism underlying information storage and long-term memory in mammals. In parallel studies we demonstrated that mGluRs are also critically required for the establishment of lasting declarative memory. Information transfer across the hippocampus occurs by means of network oscillatory activity of principal cells. Completing the loop, we established that mGluRs are essential for the expression of network activity that is associated with the induction of synaptic plasticity and acquisition of memory. In the current project we will conduct novel studies that enable us to monitor synaptic plasticity and network oscillations during learning to establish the precise interplay of these phenomena in the creation of lasting memories. We will also investigate malfunction of these phenomena in a condition that reflects dysfunctional synaptic plasticity, namely epilepsy. Two conditions will be studied: absence epilepsy in WAG/Rij rats and temporal lobe epilepsy in the Kainate animal model . Our goal will be to examine how mGluRs contribute to the pathophysiology and cognitive deficits arising in this disease.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants