Genre: Information/Explanation

The cells that make up the nervous system die at two distinct times during the lifetime of an organism . These periods of neuron loss occur during embryonic development and also during ageing . Our research focuses on the factors that determine how , when and why neurons die at these times . The earliest stage of nervous system development is termed neurulation and at this time , neurons are already dying . Using Xenopus laevis as a model we are investigating what role this loss of cells plays in determining the future anatomy and physiology of the central nervous system . We are also considerating the effects that environmental agents have on cell death during neurulation and how this might relate to the development of neural tube defects such as spina bifida . Later on in embryonic development there is a wave of cell death as neurons innervate their target fields . We are investigating the intracellular and extracellular factors that control this in several populations of murine CNS neurons . Finally we are looking at the causes of cell death in ageing and neurodegenrative diseases with emphasis placed on Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease . Again we are interested in the intracellular and extracellular factors that control this loss of cells . In addition we are investigating factors that influence the physiology of these neurons . about linking to this page make changes to your own information