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Our Research

The Dehorter Lab is a multidisciplinary group investigating core questions relating to neurological health and disease.

Molecular Control of the Interneuron Integration and Synapse Formation:

 

We study the process of interneuron development, from embryonic proliferation to late postnatal connectivity, and how these processes are under the control of genetic and molecular factors.

Developing neurons are highly susceptible to changes in their genetic identity and their environment. These changes can lead to alterations in cell number and circuit formation. Through our research we aim to identify some of these vulnerable pathways to better understand how the brain develops, and what can happen in developmental neuropathologies.

Consequences of impaired neuronal activity during development in a mouse model of autism:

 

Interneurons are fundamental cells for maintaining the excitation-inhibition balance in the brain in health and disease. Interneurons have been shown to play a key role in the pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in adult mice and their maturation is altered in the developing brain in ASD. We aim to target interneurons to develop novel therapeutics for relieving the core symptoms and cognitive deficits in ASD.

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Presymptomatic Signatures of Neural Dysfunction in Mice Models of Striatum-Related Pathologies:

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There is increasing evidence that Parkinson's Disease has an immune component linked to its ontogenesis. However, the mechanistic role of the immune system in contributing to Parkinson's Disease pathogenesis remains a question that researchers have been unable to address due to limitations with current models. Our research aims to decipher the association between alpha-synuclein, the immune system and Parkinson's Disease

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