"Using NMDA Receptor modulators to probe brain functions and test their disease-treating potentials Reward Inference by prefrontal and striatal neuron"周強 博士（北京大學深圳研究生院）-2015.12.11

時間：2015年12月11日 10:00

地點：中北校區 腦功能基因組學研究所一樓會議室

報告題目：Using NMDA Receptor modulators to probe brain functions and test their disease-treating potentials Reward Inference by prefrontal and striatal neuron

報告人：周強 博士 北京大學深圳研究生院

主持人：王智如 教授

報告人簡介： a Professor and Associated Dean, in the School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology at Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School. Trained as an electrophysiologist and neuroscientist, Dr. Zhou’s research has evolved from studies in ion channels and receptors (Ca2+ dynamics in neurons), to synaptic transmission and plasticity (including the morphological basis of synaptic plasticity and their functional importance), further into neural network and behavioral analysis. His expertise also includes fluorescence imaging techniques and molecular biology approaches, and he is one of the world leading experts in combining electrophysiological recording with real time fluorescence imaging. He had worked in both academia and pharmaceutical industry (Genentech/Roche). He is now focusing on elucidating mechanisms underlying major brain diseases (Alzheimer’s disease, depression and schizophrenia) for new therapeutic interventions and prevention.

報告簡介：NMDA receptors are important subtype glutamate receptors and are critical for numerous brain functions, from learning and memory to developmental refinement of neuronal connections. They have also been widely implicated in serious CNS diseases, such as stroke, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and schizophrenia. By using selective GluN2B-containing NMDA receptor antagonists, with a combination of electrophysiology, extensive behavioral analysis and biochemical methods, in a few AD mouse models, we systemically analyzed the localization, functional contribution of these receptors to AD; and examined the effect of their blockade in AD mice. These studies pave the road to determine the potential values of GuN2B-selctive antagonists in treating AD. On the other hand, we have generated novel, subunit-selective NMDA receptor enhancers. These enhancers show diverse interesting properties and differential effects on excitatory vs inhibitory neurons, and synaptic plasticity. They are valuable tools to probe basic brain/neuronal functions, and could also have great potentials in treating various brain disorders.