不良研究所

Supported by the generosity of the Killam Trusts, The Neuro's Killam Seminar Series invites outstanding guest speakers whose research is of interest to the scientific community at The Neuro and 不良研究所.

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The Link Between Brain Structure and Function

Abstract:听Neurotransmitter receptors are essential in the communication between neurons, acting as molecular gatekeepers that mediate the transfer of signals across synapses. Their distribution patterns provide insights into how the brain is structured and operates on multiple levels鈥攆rom basic sensory processing to complex cognitive functions. For example, receptors separate phylogenetically older regions (such as the limbic system) from more recently developed areas (like the prefrontal cortex), and segregates unimodal, multimodal and association areas. Furthermore, receptor architecture distinguishes between functional networks, and also reflects hierarchical processing levels within a given functional system. Concluding, whereas the brain鈥檚 cytoarchitecture (the arrangement of neuronal cells) and myeloarchitecture (the distribution of myelinated fibers) define its physical structure, it is the receptors that help integrate this structure with the brain鈥檚 functional capabilities.

Nicola Palomero-Gallagher

Associate Professor, Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-1), Research Centre J眉lich

Nicola Palomero-Gallagher obtained her Master鈥檚 degree in Biology from the Universidad Aut贸noma of Madrid, Spain. She is a Senior Researcher and Leader of the "Receptors" research group at the Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-1), Research Centre J眉lich, Germany, and an Associate Professor at the C. & O. Vogt-Brain Research Institute of D眉sseldorf University, Germany. Her research aims to shed light on the relationship between the structural (cyto- and fiber-architecture), molecular (receptor-architecture) and functional organizational principles of the brain.