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Despite intensive scientific work, the brain and its functions continue to pose many puzzles to experts. In cooperation with the University of Heidelberg, Christian Thome and colleagues from the Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology at the JKU are researching the role that a special cell type in the hippocampus plays in communication between the two hemispheres of the brain. “We are currently still conducting basic research,” explains the neurologist. In the long term, the findings could help to treat brain diseases or damage – for example after strokes.
So far, Thome and his colleagues have conducted research on mice: “The next step will be to transfer our results to the human brain.” The cell type that neurologists are studying was only discovered ten years ago. Due to their structure, these neurons are particularly good at transmitting information. “This cell type is present throughout the brain, but in the central part of the hippocampus it makes up around half of all cells,” explains the researcher.
Research possible therapies
Unlike other neurons, these cells are not “paralyzed” by so-called “brain waves” – electrical signals that pass through different areas of the brain,” explains Thome: “We don’t yet know exactly how these brain waves arise and what they do. But in the case of brain damage they are disturbed.”
The nerves examined fire primarily during phases in which people are thinking or in deep sleep. “So it’s likely that they have something to do with memory formation,” says the researcher.
The research team now wants to transfer the research results to humans; close collaboration with the JKU Medical Faculty is planned. “This is the ideal environment to bring our research into clinical application and explore potential new therapies that could improve the lives of people with neurological disorders,” says Thome.
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