André Fisahn

Group members

• André Fisahn (PI)
• Manisha Chugh (postdoc)
• Richard Andersson (postdoc)
• April Johnston (PhD student)
• Roshan Kurudenkandy (PhD student)

Projects

Rhythmic electrical activity in neuronal networks (network oscillations) is important for many higher functions in the brain, such as learning, memory and cognition. Such activity can be classed into different frequency bands, which are implicated in distinct processes and behaviors. In addition, network oscillations are altered or disrupted by various disorders of the nervous system such as Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia and epilepsy, which can result in cognitive or behavioral impairments.

The main goal of our research is to increase our understanding of the cellular and synaptic mechanisms underlying electrical oscillations in neuronal networks and to relate such knowledge to the changes observed in these network oscillations during pathological states of the brain such as Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia and epilepsy. Such knowledge is essential to understand pathological network changes and will enable us to find ways to rescue altered network oscillations in pathological states as well as to define new targets for therapeutic intervention.

Using in vitro electrophysiology, imaging and modeling our research focuses mainly on gamma- and theta-frequency oscillations in the neuronal networks of the hippocampus and the medial septum, both of which play an important role in higher brain functions and are affected in various brain disorders.

• Amyloid-β Toxicity in Septo-Hippocampal Network Function - Implications for Alzheimer's Disease
• Aminergic Modulation of Network Oscillations in the Rodent Hippocampus
• Modulation of Hippocampal Network Oscillations by Neuregulin Signaling on ErbB4 Receptors - Implications for Schizophrenia
• Common Mechanisms Underlying the Development and Progression of Epileptic Syndromes

For more information please visit our lab website

• Lab website

Ten selected publications

Leao, R.N., Colom, L.V., Borgius, L., Kiehn, O. & Fisahn, A. (2011) Medial septal dysfunction by Aβ -induced KCNQ channel-block in glutamatergic neurons. Neurobiol. of Aging (Epub ahead of print).

Zheng, K., An, J., Yang, F., Xu, W., Xu, Z., Wu, J., Hökfelt, T., Fisahn, A., Xu, B. & Lu, B. (2011) Tyrosine kinase B receptor (TrkB) Signaling in Parvalbumin-Positive Interneurons Is Critical for Gamma Band Network Synchronization in Hippocampus. PNAS (Epub ahead of print).

Fisahn, A., Lavebratt, C. & Canlon, B. (2011) Acoustic Startle Hypersensitivity in Mceph Mice and its Effect on Hippocampal Excitability. Eur.J.Neurosci. 34(7), 1121-30.

Andersson, R., Lindskog, M. & Fisahn, A. (2010) Modulation of gamma oscillations and action potential phasing by histamine. J.Physiol. 588, 1241-1249.

Hadjab, S., Wallis, K., Nordström, K., Vennström, B. & Fisahn, A. (2010) Altered hippocampal network and reduced susceptibility to drug induced seizures in mice with a mutant thyroid hormone receptor alpha 1 allele. Neuropharmacol. 58, 1130-1139.

Leao, R.N., Tan, H.M. & Fisahn, A. (2009) M-Current Modulation of Gamma Oscillations and Action Potential Phasing in the Hippocampus in vitro. J.Neurosci. 29, 13353-64.

Nerelius, C., Sandegren, A., Sargsyan, H., Raunak, H., Leijonmarck, H., Chatterjee, U., Fisahn, A., Lomas, D.A., Crowther, D.C., Strömberg, R. & Johansson, J. (2009) Alpha-helix-targeting reduces amyloid beta-peptide toxicity. PNAS 106, 9191-6.

Fisahn, A., Neddens, J., Yan, L. & Buonanno, A. (2009) Neuregulin modulates hippocampal gamma oscillations: Implications for schizophrenia. Cereb. Cortex. 19, 612-618 (Epub in 2008).

Fisahn, A., Yamada, M., Duttaroy, A., Gan, J. W., Deng, C. X., McBain, C. J. & Wess, J. (2002) Induction of Hippocampal Gamma Oscillations by Coupling of the M1 Muscarinic Receptor to the Hyperpolarization-Activated Current (Ih). Neuron 33, 615-624.

Fisahn, A., Pike, F. G., Buhl, E. H. & Paulsen, O. (1998) Cholinergic Induction of Network Oscillations at 40 Hz in the Hippocampus in vitro. Nature 394, 186-189.