My research
My research interests are essentially concerned with the study of the human cerebral cortex.
1. We have studied the development of neurons that use particular neurotransmitters in fetal human brains from early gestation to early postnatal ages. The main method used is immunocytochemistry.
2. We also use similar techniques to study the later maturation of these neurons and their appearance in adult human cortex. Again we use immunocytochemistry, but also electron microscopy. We are particularly interested in the pattern of distribution of neurons that are immunopositive for glutamate receptors.
3. We use immunocytochemistry and other histological methods to examine possible changes in the cerebral cortex of schizophrenics compared with normal brains. We have shown a marked decrease in spines on the dendrites of glutamatergic pyramidal neurons in schizophrenia, and also a reduced number of neurons expressing the kainate type of glutamate receptor. These phenomena may be related to altered glutamate function in this disease. We also note an increase in microglia in chronic schizophrenics.