KGRI Lecture Series: (Jan.18, 2018) "State-dependent changes in astrocytic functions"
2018.01.15The Keio University Global Research Institute (KGRI) aims to promote international research and educational exchange and invites those working in the forefront of research and education in Japan and overseas to give lectures.
On this occasion, Prof. Maiken Nedergaard from Center for Translational Neromedicine, University of Copenhagen in Denmark will give a lecture titled "State-dependent changes in astrocytic functions".
Date & time: Thursday, January 18, 15:30-16:30 (Open 15:00)
Venue: Center for Integrated Medical Research 1F Lounge, Shinanomachi Campus, Keio University
Host: Keio University School of Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, and Keio University Global Research Institute (KGRI)
Other: No admission fee, pre-registration not required
Summary of lecture:
The nightlife of astrocytes.
We have recently described a macroscopic pathway in the central nervous system - the glymphatic system that facilitates the clearance of interstitial waste products from neuronal metabolism. Glymphatic clearance of macromolecules is driven by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that flows in along para-arterial spaces and through the brain parenchyma via support from astroglial aquaporin-4 water channels. The glymphatic circulation constitutes a complete anatomical pathway; para-arterial CSF exchanges with the interstitial fluid, solutes collect along para-venous spaces, and then drain into the vessels of the lymphatic system for ultimate excretion from the kidney or degradation in the liver. The glymphatic system is only active during sleep. As such, this circulation represents a novel and unexplored pathway for understanding the biological necessity for sleep.
Biography :
Maiken Nedergaard, a Professor of Center for Translational Neromedicine, University of Copenhagen, received an M.D. from the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1983, and her Ph.D. from the University of Copenhagen in 1988. She worked at Cornell University Medical College before joining the faculty of New York Medical College as Professor of Cell Biology in 1994.
Since 2003 she has been on the faculty of the University of Rochester. Her work focuses on physiolopgy and pathophysiology of astrocytes; astroglia role in synaptic plasticity, as well as overall importance of neuroglia in neurological diseases, including stroke, spinal cord injury, epilepsy, neurodegenerative diseases.
Poster
Inquiries
Department of Pharmacoligy, School of Medicine
Masato Yasui (E-mail: myasui@a3.keio.jp)
