Receptors and Brain Structure

We aim to create multimodal maps based on the analysis of regional and laminar differences in cell body and neurotransmitter receptor distribution patterns.

Mapping the primate brain

We analyse the cytoarchitecture, connectivity and region-specific expression of receptors in human and non-human primate brains to better understand how cognitive, motor and sensory functions have developed through changes in the underlying microstructure and coding strategies during evolution.

Multimodale Kartierung des Primatengehirns. Oben: Intraparietaler Sulcus des Makakenaffen. Unten: menschlicher Hippocampus
Copyright:
— Niu et al. (2020) eLife 9: e55979 und Palomero-Gallagher, Kedo et al. (2020) Brain Structure and Function 225: 881-907

Mapping the rodent brain

Multimodal 3D atlases are crucial to understand the structural and functional heterogeneity of the cerebral cortex. Thus, we aim for a detailed map of the distribution patterns of cell bodies and multiple receptor types throughout the rat cerebral cortex, which will complement the Waxholm Space Atlas of the Rat Brain

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Distribution of acetylcholine muscarinic M2 receptor in the rat brain in a coronal section (left) and a 3D reconstruction of receptor autoradiographs (right).
Copyright:
— Modifiziert nach: Schubert et al. (2016) Frontiers in Neuroanatomy 10: 51

3D receptor volumes

High-resolution multimodal 3D models of the brain are essential tools to analyse its complex structural and functional organization. We are working towards the creation of the first ever ultra-high resolution 3D atlases coding for the distribution of multiple receptor types in the human and macaque brains to facilitate future integration of structural and functional datasets.

3D reconstruction of GABAA associated benzodiazepine binding sites in the human brain.
Copyright:
— Modifiziert nach: Funck et al. (2020) 25th Annual Meeting of the Organization for Human Brain Mapping. Montreal, Canada
Last Modified: 06.04.2022