https://www.plasticitylab.com/home daily 0.75 2020-08-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1540456005436-54YQ0VZSEN6TMVFNA6W6/IMG_3401.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1474876794147-KHQ9FQ7YQDNB167BDKP5/40x_Objective Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1540457640406-4MVHSZGFSZYXUQ5IVHGU/IMG_3477+2.jpeg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1540456517335-9SKXBHHTY9ZO999FMVCU/IMG_3418.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1540456467384-V1WTR3597Z9S0UPX491D/IMG_0557.jpeg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1597410205108-UJYEXMNWOX45RTC58WWB/DA_Caruana.jpg Home Dr Caruana is the Principal Investigator and head of PlasticityLab. He is also a Lecturer in Neuroscience in the College of Health & Life Sciences at Aston University. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1540456064571-WRZ6RIAJAVL69VSWO2SU/IMG_3412.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1474876870427-VQ0HBL7P63F0ABM1418Y/Vibratome Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1474876673420-L74EXF6WMKTUJJ22ZAFX/Patch_Pipette Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1592915068071-Q4Q3CI9Q2O3C1I44RJKE/PlasticityLab_Logo.png Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1474876609261-G6SMBQ8ODP4GR5971CSJ/IMG_5868.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1475140246007-YC0L6RIFI6EQN8ESL38R/IMG_0091.JPG Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1540457729291-0XWK37MQM2UDN0I2278L/IMG_3442.jpeg Home https://www.plasticitylab.com/welcome daily 1.0 2016-09-26 https://www.plasticitylab.com/contact daily 0.75 2020-08-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1475137121936-TN5L2CSVJNYLMMNKJCFL/PlasticityLab_Logo Contact https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1472207852042-3CM3HQF83885J2TFIHFW/DAC_Office Contact https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1474877792314-N82L24JKPYQNIV38IVL5/IMG_5870.jpg Contact https://www.plasticitylab.com/methods daily 0.75 2018-12-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1540459911538-3UT80SEBFIQZFMQJAP5J/IMG_3482.jpg Methods https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1474877404344-B4ETG0R62V2BCM1HW4A1/Optics Methods https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1542959514260-ZH003T6UGB5C1X4JHTTJ/Summary+Data.png Methods https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1540459584275-PYLIS9JHU09NWYLE7DT9/IMG_3433.jpg Methods Extracellular Field Rig 1 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1474877147678-KPR81WK8RXASKHV7UOQU/Microforge Methods https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1508918624504-DFN99WCGTE536970UJR7/Scope.jpg Methods https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1472299451653-LLH0D5VVDQ7K0FZ3X1TV/Inhibition Methods https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1472215227381-DU4LDNUGDITD0V3SLW56/CA2_Spines Methods The ability to image structural changes in spines following an experimental manipulation is a powerful tool in plasticity research. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1508918862015-5WJJGRL0WE53JUENGPHG/Slices Methods Slicing up close. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1540459234992-WJLKTJATIC0CHM5T1JVY/IMG_3426.jpg Methods https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1472299777397-BB06L16DDELZX8CPNYL1/Confocal_Demo Methods https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1540459806166-IBFC3XUDKF2US2SFA8K8/IMG_3501.jpg Methods https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1540459690652-B0QDMBOE3R880Q3Z6QF2/IMG_3401.jpg Methods Extracellular Field Rig 3 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1474877324020-2KJ8G18IYOFJVNZ9JMKL/Manipulators Methods https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1509026212544-RN9QHQMD4EGFG34CGP2E/Slice_Chamber Methods https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1472203231908-1282C9EX7MOFGZXK9FVR/Pcp4_CA2 Methods In situ hybridisation for Pcp4 mRNA transcripts in the hippocampus (shown in pink). Note the high expression in area CA2 and in the dentate gyrus. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1472199384571-9IYRG800LWCXDNOKX391/Whole_Cell Methods https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1540459173824-YTR2N4VE0U35N82O2DOU/IMG_3425.jpg Methods https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1540459624984-I2N8Q3YJZBOJ9F8CCLDO/IMG_3435.jpg Methods Extracellular Field Rig 2 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1540460305566-ZLXM0WWWJWQ5QB7LLP8Q/IMG_3462+2.jpeg Methods https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1472298941706-N5665P1U7BRRGVWV7PHL/HPC_Plasticity Methods https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1540460367450-0ML24HVZSSULTJO921ZJ/IMG_3457.jpeg Methods https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1475136913248-CFSL5GSYD7I446XI02QZ/PlasticityLab_Logo Methods https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1523775543228-XQC55HI4ELAG5WE69CEK/Patch2.jpg Methods Whole Cell Intracellular Rig 2 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1508918659691-VHO2I6QLO74AGVAMNLHW/WinLTP.jpg Methods https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1472219846425-JPVW6B9Y2UHHHC3L46G8/Electrode_Placements Methods https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1474880694395-LTOP6IQCBIKI0C20XF07/Puller Methods https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1508834997064-EE55AKCZ4EYOIB16Z0E6/Vibratome Methods Brain slices for electrophysiological recordings are cut using a vibrating blade microtome. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1474880389306-UREB4HDTYQ62NMJUTOAA/Electrodes Methods https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1544525364036-LUFO91VPAQ7KLVDYYLRV/SocialMemory.jpeg Methods The Social Recognition Memory Test Chamber in PlasticityLab https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1472217849714-1TMWUILT28O2M3J6FXKN/Rat_Box Methods https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1474877112455-8RCJD7GO8F79DYLCQCIZ/Filament Methods https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1543058495969-TFZGHT4H3ILRZU5COD2S/TH_LEC.png Methods https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1474877008346-JOIXHYSZKFEV8IJ0IJMZ/Patch1 Methods Whole Cell Intracellular Rig 1 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1540461230807-AIWT37635B9511K4BKX8/IMG_3418.jpg Methods https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1540460442926-5PND47I98634YZDYEFVA/IMG_3465+2.jpeg Methods https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1508837112148-HZGA27AX3AFNX9X9A4W6/IMG_1717.jpg Methods https://www.plasticitylab.com/in-out daily 0.75 2023-04-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1592914664379-S7R7Z7V5SWHEU2RBVOI3/Aston+Logo.png I/O https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1478695868931-3CZAIJ4S4WJFW9XBUE1V/Keele_Logo I/O https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1478695732111-VGFXPUPN19V5UUUX0Z7M/ISTM_Logo I/O https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1478695506013-6BGQ1VBMNXDR2IOPHXL0/AoHL_Logo I/O https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1478695321391-63TVTAQKNAR9IS68U5QX/BBSRC_Logo I/O https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1478698814353-A4TQMDSGITW9DQ8NXRCM/HEFCE_Logo I/O https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1540466033467-6RXNU2UBH8DTHTUDUE7W/Keele_Logo.png I/O https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1475137075393-KBO5I7DPYOBZL3XMQS2G/PlasticityLab_Logo I/O https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/35e951d7-b57c-4f30-a72d-6ebeb4f6eec2/EPSRC+Logo.png I/O - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1592914490885-4ZMOKZDP5V1K4WAXL9HF/ANI+Logo.png I/O https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1474877710206-368UWLSBGOY532HS3QBK/IMG_5840.jpg I/O https://www.plasticitylab.com/research daily 0.75 2020-06-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1472205085781-MVKWL8DUBK2QN2NGPSMZ/HPC_Circuit Research Hippocampal area CA2 is often excluded from circuit diagrams illustrating the flow of information through the hippocampus. The simplified schematic diagrams (A & B) highlight how area CA2 (shown in red) fits within the traditional “trisynaptic” circuit. (B) Schaffer collateral projections from area CA3 to CA2 synapse in the stratum radiatum at a location that is proximal to the cell body layer, whereas temporoammonic inputs from the entorhinal cortex to CA2 synapse distally in the stratum lacunosum moleculare. There is evidence to suggest that the induction of activity-dependent LTP differs significantly in these two independent inputs to the same CA2 neurons. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1472205575225-HU62OZ7GHAEP39DSEP7P/CA2_Latte Research Caffeine affects synaptic physiology in hippocampal area CA2. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1472207212806-LWV9WGHAJ5BAUUAFHKDJ/CA2_eGFP Research Area CA2 is a distinct component of the hippocampal circuit. It is possible to isolate CA2 from other hippocampal subfields by targeting genes that are highly expressed in CA2 pyramidal neurons. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1475136853807-0R4CX5ILU6AWMPX52IW1/PlasticityLab_Logo Research https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1472205235171-LCW7DHLZ8XSN1DT0QFPS/CA2_Properties Research The lack of activity-dependent LTP at Schaffer collateral synapses in area CA2 is due mainly to robust calcium handling in CA2 pyramidal neurons. (A,B) Pairing 3-Hz afferent synaptic stimulation of the Schaffer collaterals with the depolarization of CA2 pyramidal cells to 0 mV fails to induce activity-dependent LTP in area CA2. Group data in B show the averaged amplitudes of EPSCs (normalized to baseline) before and after the pairing protocol (arrow) to induce LTP in CA2 neurons. Bars indicate the mean + SEM in this and subsequent figures. Sample EPSCs shown in A are from the time points marked by the corresponding numbers in B. (C,D) In contrast, the same pairing protocol induces robust LTP in Schaffer collateral inputs to area CA1. The intrinsic biophysical properties of neurons in CA2 differ significantly from those in CA1. Relative to pyramidal cells in area CA1, CA2 pyramidal neurons show greater leak currents at holding potentials less than 60 mV (E, red circles, arrow), as well as have a lower resting membrane potential (F, red bar), higher rheobase current (G, red bar), and lower action potential threshold (H, red bar). Note, stars indicate P < 0.05. Data modified from Zhao et al. (2007). Differences in intrinsic excitability alone, however, do not account for the lack of LTP in CA2 neurons (data not shown). CA2 pyramidal neurons display higher calcium buffering and extrusion relative to cells in CA1. (I) A temporary increase in the amount of extracellular calcium from 2 mM (gray circles) to 10 mM (red circles) for 3 min (indicated by the red bar) permits induction of LTP in CA2 pyramidal cells following tetanic stimulation (200 Hz HFS; arrow) of the Schaffer collaterals. (J) Loading CA1 neurons with a functional analog of the calmodulin-regulating protein Pep-19 blocks induction of LTP (blue circles). Data modified from Simons et al. (2009). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1472213904219-96IL5YB9WA651H3SMA0J/A1Rs_CA2 Research The adenosine A1 receptor is highly expressed in CA2 pyramidal neurons relative to the rest of the hippocampus (image modified from Ochiishi et al., 1999). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57b313999f7456cee4007fd5/1472205722877-MD0YPEALV7O05SEJXJXE/CA2_Caffeine Research Blockade of A1 receptors potentiates synaptic responses in CA2 but has no lasting effect on synaptic transmission in areas CA1 or CA3. (A) Bath-application of caffeine (100 mM) or the selective A1R antagonist DPCPX (10 nM) for 5 min potentiates synaptic responses in CA2. The red bar in A marks the onset and duration of caffeine or DPCPX application, and the inset traces show example currents recorded at the latencies marked by the corresponding numbers. Brief exposure to DPCPX increases the volume of spines located on apical dendritic branches of CA2 pyramidal neurons. (B) Two-photon confocal images of a spine-containing segment of secondary apical dendrite for a CA2 neuron loaded with Alexa Fluor 594 are shown before (0 min; baseline) and after (+20 min; washout) 5-min application of DPCPX (10 nM). Arrows in B mark spines that showed a significant change in volume after treatment with DPCPX (calibration bar ¼ 1 mm). (C) Group data for all spines are shown comparing the average change in spine volume at 20-min post-vehicle or post-DPCPX treatment. There was no change in the amplitude of synaptic responses induced by caffeine or DPCPX (D) in areas CA1 or CA3 (E). Conventions in D and E are the same as in A (calibration bars for inset traces in A, D, and E: 50 pA, 25 msec). Caffeine consumption in vivo induces synaptic potentiation in hippocampal CA2 but not in CA1. (F, G) Oral administration of caffeine induces a dose-dependent increase in the amplitude of synaptic responses in CA2 in vitro across a range of stimulation intensities. (H, I) Treatment with caffeine, however, had no effect on responses in CA1. Group data in G and I show average synaptic responses at each stimulation intensity and dose of caffeine tested. Colored bars in G and I indicate the intensity used to evoke the corresponding colored currents in F and H from single neurons in slices from rats dosed with 20 mg/kg caffeine or vehicle (CA2, F; CA1, H). Data modified from Simons, Caruana et al. 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