Tomas Hökfelt, M.D., Ph.D.

Professor, senior Tomas Hökfelt

Work:
08-524 870 70
E-mail:
Address:
  • Department of Neuroscience
    Karolinska Institutet
    Retzius väg 8
    S-17177 Stockholm, Sweden

Chemical Neurotransmission Research

Research Focus

Our research is focused on chemical messengers in the nervous and endocrine systems, mainly based on histochemical techniques: immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridiza­tion. We also use molecular biological approaches including RT-PCR and have created some transgenic animals. We are interested in the concept that a neuron produces and re­leases more than one transmitter substance.

In particular, our work has focused on the role of neuropeptides in the central and peripheral nervous system, including substance P, cholecystokinin (CCK), galanin and neuropeptide Y (NPY), four peptides that have been discovered by scientists at Karolinska Institutet. These peptides often have a modulating role, exerting their effects via 7-transmembrane, G-protein-coupled receptors. The peptide systems are involved in numerous functions, for example control of food intake, as well as in various diseases such as obesity, anorexia nervosa, pain and depression.

We are now particularly interested in studying human tissues to validate hypotheses based on rodent experiments with the aim to understand mechanisms underlying pain and depression and to develop novel strategies for treatment of these disorders.

Group Members

  • Csaba Adori, postdoc
  • Ismael Valladolid Acebes, postdoc
  • Swapnali Barde, PhD student
  • Blanca Silva-Lopez, technician
  • Karin Lagerman, secretary

Selected Publications

Shi TJ, Zhang MD, Zeberg H, Nilsson J, Grünler J, Liu SX, Xiang Q, Persson J, Fried KJ, Catrina SB, Watanabe M, Arhem P, Brismar K, Hökfelt TG

Coenzyme Q10 prevents peripheral neuropathy and attenuates neuron loss in the db-/db-mouse, a type 2 diabetes model.

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. (2013) 110(2):690-5

Le Maître E, Barde SS, Palkovits M, Diaz-Heijtz R, Hökfelt TG

Distinct features of neurotransmitter systems in the human brain with focus on the galanin system in locus coeruleus and dorsal raphe.

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. (2013) 110(6):E536-45

Attems J, Alpar A, Spence L, McParland S, Heikenwalder M, Uhlén M, Tanila H, Hökfelt TG, Harkany T

Clusters of secretagogin-expressing neurons in the aged human olfactory tract lack terminal differentiation.

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. (2012) 109(16):6259-64

Lindfors C, Nilsson IA, Garcia-Roves PM, Zuberi AR, Karimi M, Donahue LR, Roopenian DC, Mulder J, Uhlén M, Ekström TJ, Davisson MT, Hökfelt TG, Schalling M, Johansen JE

Hypothalamic mitochondrial dysfunction associated with anorexia in the anx/anx mouse.

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. (2011) 108(44):18108-13

Shi TJ, Liu SX, Hammarberg H, Watanabe M, Xu ZQ, Hökfelt T

Phospholipase C{beta}3 in mouse and human dorsal root ganglia and spinal cord is a possible target for treatment of neuropathic pain.

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. (2008) 105(50):20004-8

Last modified by: Marija Lazarevic 2013-05-16
Neurovetenskap