Peter Nguyen

Biography

Peter Nguyen is an assistant professor belongs to the department of Physiology from the university of Alberta.

Research Interest

Synaptic Plasticity in the Mammalian Brain Neurons can change the physiological strength of transmission at their synapses in response to altered electrical activity. This activity-dependent synaptic plasticity is important for many aspects of brain physiology and cognition, including the construction of neural circuits during brain development, associative learning, and the formation of long-term memories. Impaired synaptic plasticity may contribute to some disorders of mental processes. There are several types of synaptic plasticity in the mammalian brain. Boosting ("potentiation") and weakening ("depression") of synaptic transmission are two examples of synaptic plasticity. A major challenge facing neuroscientists is to elucidate the mechanisms of these various forms of synaptic plasticity and define their roles in brain function and behaviour. The behaviours of laboratory mice, and the synaptic physiology of neurons in brain structures important for cognition, can be measured to identify which molecules and circuits are critical for specific types of behaviour and synaptic plasticity. Why study the plasticity of synapses, learning and memory? Learning is the acquisition of new information, and memory is its retention over time. Much of what we do in the present and future is shaped by our memories of past experiences. It is widely accepted that synaptic plasticity is critical for learning and memory. Failure of synaptic plasticity can impair the formation of new memories. This can decrease quality of life by damaging mental health. Effective treatment of memory impairments will improve quality of life, but it requires basic research aimed at identifying mechanisms and brain circuits underlying memory impairment. Determining how synaptic plasticity occurs will help us better understand how the brain learns, and stores, new information. It will also reveal rational strategies for the treatment of learning deficits and memory dysfunction (e.g. memory loss during Alzheimer disease). Apart from these practical applications, unraveling the mechanisms of synaptic plasticity in the mammalian brain is, by itself, a fun and satisfying endeavour, because it will shed light on the neural mechanisms of behaviour. What we do in this laboratory? We study genetically modified and wildtype mice to try to elucidate the roles of specific signalling molecules in synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory. A second objective is to define the mechanisms by which genetic background may influence synaptic physiology, learning, and memory. A third goal is to characterize synaptic plasticity in mouse models of memory impairment.