Institute of Neurobiology, BAS - research partnership

[nbbocheva]

The research in the Institute of Neurobiology at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (INB-BAS) is in the field of basic and applied neuroscience. Multidisciplinary investigations in the INB-BAS are performed in the fields of neurobiological mechanisms of regulation of functional systems in the organism; sensory, motor and cognitive information processing in humans; neurochemical, cellular and integrative levels of neural organization in normal and pathological conditions; neurotransmitter and neuromodulatory systems in the periphery and in the brain; brain asymmetry; brain plasticity; brain excitability; signalling in the brain; effects of endogenous and exogenous biologically active substances and pharmaceuticals.

The strategic aim of our studies is to obtain new knowledge, to develop new diagnostic and prognostic tools for improvement of the quality of life and intellectual abilities by the application of combined neurochemical, neurophysiological, psychological and pharmacological approaches.

The specific research is focused on:
- integrative mechanisms of sensory, motor, and cognitive processes in normal and pathological conditions in humans;
- neurodegenerative disorders;
- modelling of neurobiological regulatory processes;
- neurochemical signalling;
- pharmacological investigations.
Modern neuroscience methods are used in INB-BAS, like
- electroencephalography, multi-channel high-resolution EEG, analysis of neuroelectric brain signals and muscle activity, event-related brain potentials;
- neuroelectric oscillations and synchronization;
- electromyography, electrooculography;
- stabilography, performance monitoring;
- local field potentials; single- and multi-unit activity;
- polysomnography and sleep analysis;
- stereotaxic techniques in animals, microinjections into different brain structures; microdialysis;
- sensory and electrical stimulation, direct current stimulation;
- quantitative pharmaco-neuronography and pharmaco-encephalography;
- smooth-muscle contractility;
- enzyme-activity determination;
- analysis of excito-neurotoxicity, sub-chronic metal intoxication; computerized methods in toxicology

More details about the research topics and the methods used in the Institute, as well as about the possibilities for participation in joint projects could be found at the site of the Institute of Neurobiology at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences: bio.bas.bg/neurobiology

[MichAng]

You need to add neurodevelopment to that list.

70% of the brain's cells are formed before birth and disorder during this phase affects the individual for a life time

Cogntive and learning abilities of the system are built in very early as is the converse of adverse neurodevelopment, poor learning skills and behavioural pathology. At the worst there is severe neurodevelopmental disorder such as cerebral palsy which may demand 24 hour nursing care in its extreme state.

Much attention is being given to dementia and Alzheimers but again, lke heart disease and stroke, these may have their origin in early developmental processes.

Michael

Professor Michael A Crawford, PhD, FSB, FRCPath
Imperial College, London.
Institute of Brain Chemistry and Human Nutrition,
Department of Cancer and Surgery,
Division of Reproductive Physiology, Obstetrics and Gynaecology,
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital Campus, Room 3,34
369 Fulham Road
London SW10 9NH
07725250541
michael.crawford@imperial.ac.u k