Mr James Butler

Interests

Recent studies have established dysfunctional evoked and induced gamma (40 Hz) oscillations as well as changes in parvalbumin (PV) interneurons in the brains of schizophrenic patients (Uhlhaas & Singer, 2010). I will express the optogenetic silencer (halorhodopsin) selectively in PV interneurons to mimic this phenotype. Using an established model of gamma oscillations in hippocampal slices (Fisahn et al., 1998; Mann et al., 2005), I will analyse the effects of silencing PV interneurons on gamma oscillations, as well as investigate other questions. I will then use this model to investigate the potential of both established antipsychotic drugs, and new drug candidates, for treating schizophrenia.

Research Focus

Equipment

Whole cell patch clamp