91社区

Dr. Avoli鈥檚 laboratory employs electrophysiological, pharmacological and molecular approaches to analyze the excitability of the rodent forebrain in experimental preparations both听in vivo听and听in vitro. These studies focus on the interplay of inhibitory and excitatory mechanisms, especially as they relate to the genesis of synchronicity in neuronal networks. These neuronal processes are thought to be fundamental for understanding the mechanisms underlying the generation of seizures in epileptic patients, which could lead to develop new anti-epileptic strategies. Dr. Avoli is particularly interested in the pathophysiology of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy, one of the most common forms of focal epilepsy in adulthood. Ongoing studies center on the role of GABAA听receptor-mediated signaling, of neurosteroids, and of high-frequency oscillations (80-500 Hz) as well as the activity of single cells during epileptogenesis and ictogenesis in this focal epileptic disorder. Dr. Avoli employs optogenetic protocols to test the hypothesis that activation of specific cell types leads to peculiar seizure onset patterns in听in vitro听and听in vivo听preparations. These optogenetic procedures seek to identify whether and how such cellular processes might influence and halt epileptogenesis.听Several of Dr. Avoli's studies originate from collaborations with his colleagues at the MNI, 91社区, and Universit茅 de Montr茅al (Drs. S. Baillet, G. Di Cristo, J. Gotman, and S. Williams), in Germany (Dr. R. K枚hling), in Italy (Drs. G. Biagini, M. Cataldi and M. de Curtis), and in the USA (Drs. M. Bazhenov, M. Rogawski and S. Vicini).