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Research Group Leader Dr. Hiroki Taniguchi was awarded $100,000 by Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy (CURE) for his efforts to study cellular structures seeking to identify pathways for treatments or cures for epilepsy. Dr. Taniguchi heads a research group that studies the development and function of inhibitory neural circuits and is a leading expert in chandelier cells, the brain's most powerful inhibitory neurons. His work on the origin of these cells in pre-clinical models, recently published in Science Magazine, found that these highly powerful neurons form much later in embryonic development than previously thought. Dr. Taniguchi's work not only adds to the understanding of chandelier cells, but gives direction to future and continuing research on the periods of prenatal neurologic development that might be associated with epilepsy.
Chandelier cells potentially hold the key to new epilepsy treatments with minimal side effects due to their powerful inhibitory effect. To date, the primary treatment for epilepsy is anticonvulsant medications which target neurotransmitter receptors and ion channels. These drugs can have significant side effects and are inefficient for about 30 percent of patients. While the cause of epilepsy is not clear, one of the most plausible hypotheses is there is an imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory neurons. Dr. Taniguchi's research supported by this grant will study the transplantation of chandelier cells seeking to restore a proper balance and revert seizure activities in pre-clinical models of epilepsy.
"The use of chandelier cells has the potential to revolutionize our treatment of epilepsy," said Dr. Hiroki Taniguchi. "If transplanting inhibitory neurons works, we might uncover a cure rather than simply treatments for epilepsy, involving significantly less side effects than anticonvulsant medications used in current treatments."
Dr. Taniguchi was also awarded roughly $488,000 over three years by the Japan Science & Technology Agency to develop cutting-edge methods to track fine details in local circuits of inhibitory neurons that are thought to be linked to epilepsy, autism and schizophrenia. Dr. Taniguchi will utilize state of the art mouse genetics to highlight the connectivity between neurons that specifically use gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) as a neurotransmitter. If successful, this will allow scientists to visualize neuron connections and ultimately identify defective areas to facilitate continued research on diagnosis, and pathways for potential treatments or cures.
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