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Laboratory of Comparative Neurocytology and Neuroethology
   
András Csillag, MD, PhD, DSc
    Professor and Chair

The main objectives of the research unit comprise investigation of the neural correlates of learning, motivation and addiction, employing the avian model system based on young domestic chicks. These birds are precocial and provide a suitable model due to the reproducibility of their behavior. Furthermore, they serve as an evolutionary alternative to mammalian systems, revealing key elements of neural mechanisms underlying behavior. Current research is focused on neural connectivity, neurogenesis, and the role of neurotransmitter systems in synaptic plasticity, using modern methods of descriptive and chemical neuroanatomy.

The methods employed by the laboratory include light and electron microscopic immunohistochemistry and cytochemistry, confocal laser scanning microscopy, pathway tracing, cerebral lesion studies and in vivo microdialysis of freely behaving chicks. Most of these methods are coupled with functional analysis of behavior, using contexts of motivation and stress, and visual discrimination tests for innate and acquired preferences.

Recent results from the laboratory have revealed numerous anatomical circuits underlying learning, memory  and motivation in avian subpallial systems including the septum, thalamus, striatum, nucleus accumbens and amygdala, as well as in the prefrontal cortical equivalent regions of pallium. Chemical neuroanatomical data obtained by combined light and electron microscopic immunocytochemistry and pathway tracing have demonstrated dopaminergic and cannabinoid-related circuits underlying reward related behavior of domestic chicks. They also suggested the selective distribution and potential signaling role of L-aspartate in amygdalo-striatal pathways and striatal synapses in parallel with, or in addition to the better known role of L-glutamate. Part of the new results have been achieved in collaboration with the Japanese avian research group led by Prof. Toshiya Matsushima (Hokkaido University, Sapporo).   		   
   
        
   
   
KEYWORD(S): avian brain, striatum, learning, synaptic plasticity, dopamine, 
   
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  KEYWORD UNIVERSE: CO2-sensitivity, GTPase activating proteins - GAPs, NADPH oxidase - NOX2, NADPH oxidase, Neutrophilic granulocytes, TASK, TRESK, aging, apoptosis, asthma, autonomic neuropathy, autoregulation, avian, bioinformatics, blood-brain barrier, c, calcineurin, calcium, cancer, cell biology, cell fusion, cerebral blood flow, cerebral blood volume, complement, dendritic cells, diabetes, dopamine, duplikation, early restenosis, embryo, embryomanipulation, endoplasmic reticulum, endothelium, enviroment, epidemiology, exercise, gene expression, gene, genetics, hydrogen peroxide, hypothalamus, immunology, in vitro fertilization, inflammation, ischemia-reperfusion, liver, lupus nephritis, lymphoid tissue, medicinal chemistry, metabolic bone disease, mitochondria, molecular biology, neuronal plasticity, neuroprotection, oral biology, oxidative stress, pathology, pathophysiology, peroxidase, phagocytes, pharmacokinetics, physiology, potassium channel, reactive oxygen species, receptors redox homeostasis, regulation, signal transduction, small GTPases, stem cell, stress, stroke, superoxide, tetrasomi, tissue engineering, transplantation,  
  Laboratory of Comparative Neurocytology and Neuroethology  Corneal and Refractive Surgical Unit  Glaucoma Clinical and Research Group  Molecular and Cellular Neuroendocrine Research Laboratory  Laboratory of Corneal Wound Healing  Cerebrovascular Signaling Research Group  Laboratory of Molecular Genetics  Neuromorphological and Neuroendocrine Research Laboratory  Biochemical Pharmacology Unit  Laboratory of Tumor Biology  Laboratory of Molecular Endocrinology   
     Research Areas     

Behavioural sciences

  

Biochemistry, cell biology, biophysics

  

Dental sciences

  

Experimental and clinical immunology and genetics

  

Experimental and clinical oncology

  

Internal medicine and pediatrics

  

Medicine of sensory organs

  

Miscellaneous

  

Molecular biology, microbiology

  

Morphological sciences (anatomy, pathology, forensic medicine)

  

Neurosciences

  

Pharmaceutical sciences, pharmacology

  

Physiology, pathophysiology

  

Reproductive sciences

  

Sport sciences

  

Surgery (operative sciences)

  
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