Ferenc Deak, M.D., Ph.D.

The electrophysiological laboratory is the latest addition to the Department of Neuroscience at Mayo Clinic in Florida. We combine a large range of techniques from the molecular to the system level to understand the information processing and memory function of the nervous system. We synthesize this knowledge with the medical observations about Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and other neurodegenerative diseases. Our aim is to reveal the pathophysiology and to achieve progress in early diagnosis and effective treatment for these devastating diseases.

The three main projects of the lab:

1. Recently the focus of our laboratory is the molecular mechanism of synaptic neurotransmitter release and plasticity, the crucial element for information processing and the higher human cognitive functions, such as abstract thinking and moral conduct.
2. We utilize genetically engineered mouse models to study synaptic changes in early stage of different neurodegenerative diseases, with special interest paid to Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Our laboratory is able to test small molecular compounds with putative therapeutic effect in these diseases.
3. We build in vitro models to clarify the causative relation leading to neurodegeneration.

Presently we have good functional models for epilepsy, familial juvenile myasthenia gravis, fronto-temporal dementia, and Alzheimer's disease.

Specific methods applied:

1. Molecular biology and biochemistry
2. Primary neuronal cultures and slice cultures from transgenic mice
3. Fluorescence imaging of synaptic vesicle fusion and endocytosis: We use cutting-edge fluorescence microscopy to analyze intracellular localization of proteins involved in vesicle recycling and their effect on receptor trafficking.
4. Electrophysiology: We perform extracellular recording of long-term synaptic plasticity in hippocampal slices, and intracellular patch clamp recordings from cultured cells as well as neurons in brain slice cultures. The scope of our experiments spans from single quantal release events (miniature synaptic potentials) to analysis of neuronal network activity. We also study the regulation of short-term synaptic plasticity, like depression and facilitation, extensively.
5. In collaboration we develop new transgenic mouse models to better understand the regulation of neurotransmitter release and its failure in neurodegenerative diseases.