Aim:  Investigating the role of the cerebellum in influencing spatiotemporal monoamine dynamics using episodic ataxia type 2 (EA2) and spinocerebellar ataxia type 6 (SCA6) mouse lines

The cerebellum has been classically known to be involved in motor functions such as motor coordination, balance and posture. However, recently the cerebellum has also been linked to be associated with non-motor function such as cognition, executive function and fear learning. Given the crucial role monoamines, such as noradrenaline and dopamine, play in a plethora of functions including arousal, attention, aversive learning and fear extinction. Understanding how the cerebellum influences the spatiotemporal dynamics of these monoamines, is crucial for further development of therapeutic options for individuals suffering from impaired cerebellar function and various fear and anxiety related disorders.

 

 10 selected publications 

• Bohne P, Volkmann A, Schwarz MK, Mark MD (2022) Deletion of the P/Q-type calcium channel from serotonergic neurons drives male aggression in mice. Journal of Neuroscience 19 July 2022, JN-RM-0204-22; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0204-22.2022  

• Schwitalla JC, Pakusch J, Mücher B, Brückner A, Depke DA, Fenzl T, De Zeeuw CI, Kros L, Hoebeek FE, Mark MD. (2022) Controlling absence seizures from the cerebellar nuclei via activation of the G q signaling pathway. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022 Mar 19;79(4):197. doi: 10.1007/s00018-022-04221-5.

• Karapinar R, Schwitalla JC, Eickelbeck D, Pakusch J, Mücher B, Grömmke M, Surdin T, Knöpfel T, Mark MD*, Siveke I, Herlitze S. (2021) Reverse optogenetics of G protein signaling by zebrafish non-visual opsin Opn7b for synchronization of neuronal networks. Nature Commun. 12(1):4488. *co-corresponding author

• Miao QL, Herlitze S, Mark MD, Noebels JL (2020) Adult Loss of Cacna1a in Mice Recapitulates Childhood Absence Epilepsy by Distinct Thalamic Bursting Mechanisms. Brain. 143(1): 161-174.

• Mark MD, Wollenweber P, Gesk A, Kösters K, Batzke K, Janoschka C, Maejima T, Han J, Deneris ES, Herlitze S (2019) RGS2 Drives Male Agression in Mice via the Serotonergic System. Commun Biology. 2: 373.

• Fekete A, Nakamura Y, Yang YM, Herlitze S, Mark MD, DiGregorio DA, Wang LY (2019) Underpinning heterogeneity in synaptic transmission by presynaptic ensembles of distinct morphological modules. Nature Comm. 10(1): 826.

• Mark MD, Krause M, Boele HJ, Kruse W, Pollok S, Kuner T, Dalkara D, Koekkoek S, De Zeeuw CI, Herlitze S. (2015) Spinocerebellar ataxia type 6 protein aggregates cause deficits in motor learning and cerebellar plasticity. J. Neurosci., 35(23): 8882-95.

• Maejima T, Wollenweber P, Teusner LUC, Noebels JL, Herlitze S and Mark MD. (2013) Postnatal Loss of P/Q-type Channels Confined to Rhombic Lip Derived Neurons Alters Synaptic Transmission at the Parallel Fiber to Purkinje Cell Synapse and Replicates Genomic Cacna1a Mutation Phenotype of Ataxia and Seizures in Mice. J Neurosci., 33(12): 5162-74.

• Mark MD, Maejima T, Kuckelsberg D, Yoo JW, Hyde RA, Shah V, Gutierrez D, Moreno RL, Kruse W, Noebels JL, Herlitze S. (2011) Delayed Postnatal Loss of P/Q-Type Calcium Channels Recapitulates the Absence Epilepsy, Dyskinesia, and Ataxia Phenotypes of Genomic Cacna1A Mutations. J Neurosci., 31(11): 4311-26.

• Han J, Mark MD, Li X, Xie M, Waka S, Rettig J and Herlitze S (2006) RGS2 Determines Short-Term Synaptic Plasticity in Hippocampal Neurons by Regulating Gi/o-Mediated Inhibition of Presynaptic Ca2+ Channels. Neuron, 51(5): 575-86.