Name:
Geert M.J. Ramakers
Department Neuroscience and Pharmacology
Section Neurobiology of Behaviour
Function:
Assistant Professor
E-mail:
g.m.j.ramakers@umcutrecht.nl Tel: +31 88 7568413
Research group:
Edwin Alserda - Ph.D. student
phone: (+31) (0)88 75 68877
email: e.alserda@umcutrecht.nl
Bart Jongbloets - Ph.D. student
phone: (+31) (0)88 75 50690
email: b.c.jongbloets@umcutrecht.nl
Frank Meye - Ph.D. student
phone: (+31) (0)88 75 68076
email: f.j.meye@umcutrecht.nl
Ruud van Zessen - Master Student
email: R.vanZessen@students.uu.nl
Title research line:
Cellular and synaptic plasticity
Summary research:
I am interested in cellular and synaptic plasticity. I want to know how neurons integrate synaptic signals and convert these signals into output signals (action potentials). Research focusses on two brain areas: the hippocampus and the midbrain dopamine system (ventral tegmental area and striatum). Whole cell patch-clamp and field potential recordings in vitro are primarily used to study these phenomena.
Aims:
Plasticity of neural circuits plays an important role during development, learning and ongoing behaviour. Plasticity of neural systems can result from alterations in synaptic strength, as well as changes in neuronal excitability. Unraveling the mechanisms underlying plasticity is fundamental in understanding the physiology of learning and memory and pathophysiology of neurological diseases (e.g. addiction). The aim of our research is to delineate specific processes involved in synaptic and cellular plasticity and eventually the role of these processes in physiological and pathophysiological conditions.
Experimental strategy and key results:
Our experimental strategy is to identify how specific signal transduction cascades (G-protein coupled receptors, axon guidance molecules) or behavioral activity influence activity-dependent synaptic and cellular plasticity using in vitro electrophysiological and pharmacological approaches. These studies are carried out in close collaboration with other members of the section Neurobiology of Behavior and the section Neurodevelopment. Part of the work is funded by the TI Pharma initiative, Focus and Massa Utrecht University (within the Brain, Cognition and Behavior initiative) and the "Nationaal Epilepsie Fonds".
Publications:
1: De Rover M, Meye, FM, Ramakers GM. Presynaptic metabotropic glutamate receptors regulate glutamatergic input to dopamine neurons in the ventral tegmental area. Neuroscience (in press)http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroscience.2008.04.055
2: Kramer ER, Aron L, Ramakers GM, Seitz S, Zhuang X, Beyer K, Smidt MP, Klein R. Absence of Ret signaling in mice causes progressive and late degeneration of the nigrostriatal system. PLoS Biol. (2007), 5(3):e39..
3: Sgadò P, Albéri L, Gherbassi D, Galasso SL, Ramakers GM, Alavian KN, Smidt MP, Dyck RH, Simon HH. Slow progressive degeneration of nigral dopaminergic neurons in postnatal Engrailed mutant mice. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. (2006), 103(41):15242-7.
4: van der Heide LP, Ramakers GM, Smidt MP. Insulin signaling in the central nervous system: learning to survive. Prog Neurobiol. (2006), 79(4):205-21.
5: Mathon DS, Vanderschuren LJ, Ramakers GM. Reduced psychostimulant effects on dopamine dynamics in the nucleus accumbens of mu-opioid receptor knockout mice. Neuroscience (2006), 141(4):1679-84.