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Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum
Research Institute
Mount Sinai Hospital
Joseph & Wolf Lebovic Health Complex
600 University Avenue
Toronto Ontario M5G 1X5
Tel.: 416-586-8241
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Dr. Graham
Collingridge
SENIOR
INVESTIGATOR
Dr.
Collingridge was recently recruited from Bristol (U.K.) to the
Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, and will be chair of the
Department of Physiology at the University of Toronto (September,
2015).
Dr.
Collingridge is studying the brain mechanisms that control the strength
of brain cell connections, and how this fundamental property (known as
synaptic plasticity) affects brain function. The work is critical for
understanding the cellular basis of learning and memory. Dr.
Collingridge aims to find pharmacogenetic methods to restore
behavioural and cognitive function and to prevent neurodegenerative
processes that afflict people with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease,
and mental illness.
The
research focuses on the hippocampus, a brain region that is critical
for learning and memory. Electrophysiological and imaging recordings
are used to investigate two main forms of synaptic plasticity, known as
long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD). In some of
the work, the team employs disease models to study the genetic and
molecular signaling pathways that go awry. For example, glutamate
receptors, cAMP, JAK/STAT, and calcium signals are important modulators
of neuronal responses and learning and memory. Dr. Collingridge is
designing and testing new therapies that aim to combat disease and
restore cognitive function.
As
most neurological, cognitive, psychiatric illnesses involve impairments
in neuronal signaling and neuronal plasticity, the research holds great
promise in helping the millions of people who are afflicted with a
variety of brain disorders.
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