Neuroscience lab at the CRCHUM, Université de Montréal
Investigating the link between stress, astrocyte metabolism, and neuronal plasticity
What we do
We investigate the various roles for astrocytes in regulation neural function. Our lab is interested in stress-induced changes in brain function, in particular how astrocytic support of synaptic metabolism is affected by stress. The goal of the lab is to further understand how stress alters astrocyte structure and function, and how this influences neuronal activity which in turn underlies behaviour.
We use a combination of behavioural assays, electrophysiology, and in vivo imaging in animal models to understand how astrocytes influence behavioural states.
See our Research page for more.
Lab news
November 2023 - Lewis, Mathias, and Ossama present their work at SfN in Washington DC
November 2023 - Ciaran visited the Canadian Parliament in Ottawa to advocate for enhanced research funding in Canada
October 2023 - Spotlight on the ongoing work in our lab in Université de Montréal news (links in English and French)
October 2023 - Perspective article “A Conceptual Framework for Astrocyte Function” published in Nature Neuroscience (see publications)
April 2023 - Juliette Vaugeois was awarded CIHR Master’s fellowship
December 2022 - The lab’s first manuscript investigating the role of astrocytes in mediating the effects of early-life stress on amygdala-dependent behaviour is now online (see publications page)
December 2022 - Lewis Depaauw-Holt was awarded a prestigious Leadership fellowship from the Faculty of Medicine, U Montréal.
November 2022 - New perspective article from Ciaran, ChiNung Shing, and Thomas Papouin, discussing how and why astrocytes influence circuits and behaviour published in ArXiv (see publications page)
November 2022 - Ossama Ghenissa joins the lab, to start working on in vivo calcium imaging of astrocytes
November 2022 - Lewis Depaauw-Holt was awarded best presentation prize at the Dept. of Neuroscience research day