Prof. Dr. Christian Henneberger
Group Leader
Synaptic neuron-glia interactions
Institute of Cellular Neurosciences
University of Bonn Medical Center
Venusberg-Campus 1
53127 Bonn, Germany
University of Bonn Medical Center
Venusberg-Campus 1
53127 Bonn, Germany
Phone: +49 (0) 228 287 16304
Email: christian.henneberger(at)uni-bonn.de
Research Focus
Our lab mainly focusses on neuron-glia interactions in the hippocampus. We are particularly interested in how astrocytes influence long-term plasticity of synpatic transmission, a cellular mechanism implicated in learning. A key signal in the induction of plasticity at many synapses is the activation of NMDA receptors (NMDARs). This requires the presence of a NMDAR coagonist.
We could recently demonstrate that release of the NMDAR co-agonist D-serine from astrocytes supports NMDARdependent long-term potentiation (LTP) at hippocampal CA3-CA1 synapses. How efficient D-serine is supplied from astrocytes to neuronal NMDARs is expected to depend on the spatial relationship between the fine astrocyte branches and the NMDAR and therefore astrocyte morphology. We currently investigate how rapid astrocyte morphology changes modify NMDAR function and NMDAR-dependent signalling like synpatic plasticity and dendritic integration in healthy tissue and epilepsy models.
We could recently demonstrate that release of the NMDAR co-agonist D-serine from astrocytes supports NMDARdependent long-term potentiation (LTP) at hippocampal CA3-CA1 synapses. How efficient D-serine is supplied from astrocytes to neuronal NMDARs is expected to depend on the spatial relationship between the fine astrocyte branches and the NMDAR and therefore astrocyte morphology. We currently investigate how rapid astrocyte morphology changes modify NMDAR function and NMDAR-dependent signalling like synpatic plasticity and dendritic integration in healthy tissue and epilepsy models.