PhD defence by Julia Alicja Szczygiel

Endogenous and Synthetic Peptides: Therapeutic Modulators of Hyperexcitability in Mesial Temporal Lobe Epilepsy

Assessment Committee:
Associate professor Celia Kjærby, Department of Neuroscience, University of Copenhagen (Chairperson)
Associate professor Michael Winterdahl, Aarhus University
Professor Michele Simonato, University of San Raffaele, Milan

Supervisors:
Associate Professor Kenneth Lindegaard Madsen
Associate Professor Rune W. Berg
PhD Pernilla Fagergren
PhD Marco Ledri
Clinical Professor Lars Hageman Pinborg

Department:
Department of Neuroscience

Graduate Programme:
Neuroscience

Place:
Building 8, Room: Lundsgaard Auditorium, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 København N

Email address to gain access to the thesis: julia.goldfinch@outlook.com 
You will either receive a copy of the thesis or be informed where you can read a physical copy.

Short description of the thesis:
Mesial temporal lobe epilepsy is a common and severe form of epilepsy in which many patients do not respond to currently available medications. This thesis contributes to ongoing efforts to support the development of improved treatment options for drug-resistant epilepsy. The work comprises three parts including electrophysiological studies of resected human brain tissue in collaboration with Lund University Hospital; investigations of neuropeptide Y (NPY) signaling using a novel biosensor in an acute rat seizure model; and long-term EEG recordings in a mouse model of chronic epilepsy. Overall, the thesis seeks to provide mechanistic insights into neuropeptide Y signalling, methodological advances in epilepsy research and translational implications for possible new treatment targets.