Sonia Gasparini, PhD

Research Interests and Goals:

Keywords:
synaptic transmission, memory formation, memory processing, dendritic excitability

Information processing and memory formation. Dendritic excitability and plasticity: synaptic transmission and voltage-dependent channel activity. Dendritic excitability and synaptic integration in hippocampal and entorhinal cortex neurons


Research Interest Statement:
Dendritic integration in the entorhinal cortex (EC)
  The enthorhinal cortex is a key relay structure for the flow of information between the hippocampus and the neocortex. Not only does it act as a primary interface, it also plays a critical role in the computation of multi-sensory and cognitive modalities. The latter function is clearly supported by the direct involvement of the entorhinal cortex in neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy and schizophrenia. In particular, layer V neurons, being the main target of processed outputs leaving the hippocampal formation and sending their axons to cortical regions, play an important role in the consolidation and replay of memories, which involve hippocampal-neocortical communications.
  To understand the function of EC layer V neurons, it is essential to understand how they integrate the inputs they receive to generate the output that is transferred to the neocortex; this complex process depends on the neuronal morphology and the density and properties of dendritic voltage-dependent channels. Despite their fundamental role in the consolidation and replay of memories, very little is known about the integrative features of these neurons.
  By elucidating the mechanisms of dendritic integration in the entorhinal cortex, these studies will increase our knowledge of memory processing. In addition, relating pathological effects to electrophysiological properties of neuronal compartments that have not been fully explored, such as dendrites, may shed light on basic neuronal properties and provide insights for novel points of therapeutic intervention and disease prevention.

Current research projects:
In our research, we employ electrophysiological techniques (dendritic and somatic patch clamp recordings) coupled with electrical stimulation and multi-photon imaging and uncaging of caged neurotransmitters (such as glutamate) on brain slices. Using these techniques, we are currently studying the properties of the synaptic inputs and how they are integrated with voltage-dependent currents, the initiation of active processes in the dendrites (i.e. dendritic spikes) and their impact on the somatic output in hippocampal CA1 neurons and neurons of the deep layers of the entorhinal cortex. The ultimate goal is to relate the input-output features of these neurons to the different behavioral states and memory formation.