Comparative study of structural, morpho-electrical and connectivity properties across different murine models of gray matter heterotopia
Team “Cortical Development”
Abstract
Grey matter heterotopia (GMH) are cortical malformations characterized by the presence of ectopic neuronal masses due to impaired neuronal migration. Depending on the morphology and location of these masses, we distinguish between periventricular nodular heterotopia (PVNH), which are nodules located along the lateral ventricles, and subcortical band heterotopia (SBH), which are neuronal bands situated in the white matter. These cortical malformations are responsible for epilepsy, but the pathophysiological basis of epilepsy remains poorly understood. During my thesis, I first participated in the characterization of a new SBH model, the bilateral DCX-KD rat. Then, I employed multi-scale approaches to systematically compare the electrophysiological and morphological properties of heterotopia neurons in two murine models of SBH and PVNH. Combined with an analysis of functional connectivity and the dynamics of epileptiform activities, these approaches allowed me to identify morpho-electric signatures and network properties specific to each subtype of heterotopia. These results contribute to a better understanding of the distinct characteristics of each type of heterotopia. They could also help improve the classification of cortical development malformations and guide future targeted therapeutic strategies.
Jury
Stéphanie Baulac, Rapporteure – Institut du Cerveau (ICM), Paris
Sylvain Rheims, Rapporteur – Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon (CRNL)
Mathieu Milh, Examinateur – AP-HM de la Timone, Marseille
Sophie Chauvet, Présidente – Institut de Biologie du Développement de Marseille (IBDM)
Isabelle Guillemain, Examinatrice – Grenoble Institut des Neurosciences (GIN)
Jean-Bernard Manent, Directeur de thèse – Institut de neurobiologie de la Méditerranée (Inmed), Marseille
Thomas Marissal, Membre invité – Institut de neurobiologie de la Méditerranée (Inmed), Marseille
Tuesday 12 December 2023 at 2pm – Inmed conference room