Projects per year
Organization profile
Organisation Profile
The research team investigates molecular mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental disorders, especially mechanisms causing features requiring treatment such as challenging behavioural problems in fragile X syndrome (FXS) and autism related disorders. The ultimate goal is to develop improved treatment strategies for these disorders. The team uses patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) for disease modelling in dish. Studies explore alterations of functional responses in iPSC-derived neuronal cells in a cell type-dependent manner and explore contribution of astrocytes to impaired neuronal network function.
Previous work of the lab has functionally characterized differentiation of glutamate-responsive human and mouse neural progenitors and demonstrated aberrances during early stages of neuronal cell differentiation in FXS. The recently published studies revealed enhanced intracellular Ca2+ responses to AMPA receptor activation in neural progenitors differentiated from human iPSCs generated from somatic cells of FXS males compared to controls. Increased Ca2+-permeable AMPA receptor (CP-AMPAR) activity associates with increased Ca2+ influx via L-type voltage-gated calcium channels and augmented responses to membrane depolarization and to NMDA and type I metabotropic glutamate receptor activation. Changes of Ca2+ dynamics affect fate determination, differentiation, and migration of FXS neural progenitors. Increased Ca2+ influx through CP-AMPARs renders neural progenitors more susceptible to excitotoxicity. Increased vulnerability may act as a selective factor during cell differentiation and interfere with establishment of neocortical circuits leading to network hyperexcitability in FXS brain.
Fields of Science
- 3112 Neurosciences
- 1184 Genetics, developmental biology, physiology
International and National Collaboration
Profiles
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Maija Castrén, Senior Researcher
- Department of Physiology - Docent, Senior Researcher
- Medicum - Visiting scholar, Principal Investigator
- NeuroDevDiseaseModelling
- Doctoral Programme Brain & Mind - Supervisor for doctoral programme
Person: Visiting scholar, U3 Research and teaching staff, UH, Teaching and research personnel
Projects
- 1 Finished
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NeuroASD: Activity dependent defects of Neuronal specification and circuit formation in Autism Spectrum Disorders
01/02/2018 → 31/03/2018
Project: Other project
Publications
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Elevated de novo protein synthesis in FMRP-deficient human neurons and its correction by metformin treatment
Utami, K. H., Yusof, N. A. B. M., Kwa, J. E., Peteri, U-K., Castrén, M. L. & Pouladi, M. A., 27 May 2020, In : Molecular Autism. 11, 1, 11 p., 41.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Integrative analysis identifies key molecular signatures underlying neurodevelopmental deficits in fragile X syndrome
Utami, K. H., Skotte, N. H., Colaco, A. R., Yusof, N. A. B. M., Sim, B., Yeo, X. Y., Bae, H-G., Garcia-Miralles, M., Radulescu, C. I., Chen, Q., Chaldaiopoulou, G., Liany, H., Nama, S., Peteri, U-K. A., Sampath, P., Castrén, M., Jung, S., Mann, M. & Pouladi, M., 15 Sep 2020, In : Biological Psychiatry. 88, 6, p. 500-511 12 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
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Astrocytes in Neuropathologies Affecting the Frontal Cortex
Peteri, U-K., Niukkanen, M. & Castren, M. L., 12 Feb 2019, In : Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience. 13, 9 p., 44.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Autismikirjo: Tausta, diagnostiikka ja tutkimus
Timonen, T., Castren, M. & Ärölä-Dithapo, M., 2019, Jyväskylä: PS-kustannus. 381 p.Research output: Book/Report › Book › Professional
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Beneficial Effects of GLP-1 Agonist in a Male With Compulsive Food-Related Behavior Associated With Autism
Jarvinen, A., Laine, M. K., Tikkanen, R. & Castren, M. L., 1 Mar 2019, In : Frontiers in psychiatry. 10, 5 p., 97.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Open AccessFile
Activities
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ISSCR 2019 Stem Cells & Organoids in Development & Disease
Ulla-Kaisa Anneli Peteri (Attendee)
20 Feb 2019 → 22 Feb 2019Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Organisation and participation in conferences, workshops, courses, seminars
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11th FENS Forum of Neuroscience, Berlin 2018
Ulla-Kaisa Anneli Peteri (Attendee)
7 Jul 2018 → 11 Jul 2018Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Organisation and participation in conferences, workshops, courses, seminars
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Jyväskylän yliopisto
Maija Castrén (Other role)
2018Activity: Visiting an external institution types › Academic visit to other institution
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Autism in Females
Maija Castrén (Supervisor)
2018Activity: Examination types › Supervision of other thesis (Master's, Licentiate)
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The 2nd Nordic PhD Summit
Ulla-Kaisa Anneli Peteri (Attendee)
24 Aug 2018 → 25 Aug 2018Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Organisation and participation in conferences, workshops, courses, seminars
Press / Media
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Autismin kirjolla - monimuotoisia häiriöitä, kehityksellisiä ongelmia, mutta myös erityislahjakkuutta
07/05/2019
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Press / Media