Dynamics of neuronal and non neuronal networks underlying memory processing (MEMORY)

Our research aims at elucidating the mechanisms underlying learning and memory processes. We are particularly interested in understanding how the brain organizes the formation and storage of enduring memories in physiological and pathological conditions. To this end, we use animal models (mice and rats) of human memory which enable to mimic specific rare diseases such as neurodevelopmental disorders (autism) or pathologies such as arterial hypertension. The originality of our correlative (brain imaging) and causal (manipulation of cerebral activity) approaches lies in integrating the neuronal and non-neuronal (e.g. the vascular network) dimensions of brain functioning. We are also exploring the impact of gravitational modifications (simulated microgravity or hypergravity) on brain functions in order to better understand the adaptive mechanisms triggered during long-duration spaceflights which may be responsible for the brain fog symptom sometimes experienced by astronauts, potentially affecting their sensory and cognitive abilities.

Mots clés

Apprentissage, Autisme, Barrière hémato-encéphalique, Cognition, Couplage neurovasculaire, Hypergravité, Imagerie cérébrale, Maladies rares, Microgravité simulée, Modèle génétique, Mémoire, Plasticité des réseaux, Troubles du comportement, Troubles du neuro-développement, Unité neuro-vasculaire

Selected publications

Communication and social interaction in the cannabinoid-type 1 receptor null mouse: Implications for autism spectrum disorder. Fyke W, Premoli M, Echeverry Alzate V, López-Moreno JA, Lemaire-Mayo V, Crusio WE, Marsicano G, Wöhr M, Pietropaolo S. Autism Res. 2021 Sep;14(9):1854-1872.
doi: 10.1002/aur.2562.

The role of the endocannabinoid system as a therapeutic target for autism spectrum disorder: Lessons from behavioral studies on mouse models. Pietropaolo S, Marsicano G. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2021 Nov 20:S0149-7634(21)00525-X.
doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.11.031.

Targeting Pdzrn3 maintains adult blood-brain barrier and central nervous system homeostasis. Gueniot F, Rubin S, Bougaran P, Abelanet A, Morel JL, Bontempi B, Proust C, Dufourcq P, Couffinhal T, Duplàa C. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab. 2021 Oct 13:271678X211048981.
doi: 10.1177/0271678X211048981.

Increased surface P2X4 receptor regulates anxiety and memory in P2X4 internalization-defective knock-in mice. Bertin E, Deluc T, Pilch KS, Martinez A, Pougnet JT, Doudnikoff E, Allain AE, Bergmann P, Russeau M, Toulmé E, Bezard E, Koch-Nolte F, Séguéla P, Lévi S, Bontempi B, Georges F, Bertrand SS, Nicole O, Boué-Grabot E. Mol Psychiatry. 2021 Feb;26(2):629-644.
doi: 10.1038/s41380-019-0641-8.

The role of the endocannabinoid system in autism spectrum disorders: Evidence from mouse studies. Pietropaolo S, Bellocchio L, Bouzón-Arnáiz I, Yee BK. Prog Mol Biol Transl Sci. 2020;173:183-208.
doi: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2020.04.016.

Effects of centrifugation and whole-body vibrations on blood-brain barrier permeability in mice. Dubayle D, Vanden-Bossche A, Beraneck M, Vico L, Morel JL. NPJ Microgravity. 2020 Jan 7;6:1.
doi: 10.1038/s41526-019-0094-z.

The Tyrosine Phosphatase STEP Is Involved in Age-Related Memory Decline. Castonguay D, Dufort-Gervais J, Ménard C, Chatterjee M, Quirion R, Bontempi B, Schneider JS, Arnsten AFT, Nairn AC, Norris CM, Ferland G, Bézard E, Gaudreau P, Lombroso PJ, Brouillette J. Curr Biol. 2018 Apr 2;28(7):1079-1089.e4.
doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2018.02.047.

Gene-Environment Interactions in Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Pietropaolo S, Crusio WE, Feldon J. Neural Plast. 2017;2017:9272804.
doi: 10.1155/2017/9272804.

Behavioral abnormalities in the Fmr1-KO2 mouse model of fragile X syndrome: The relevance of early life phases. Gaudissard J, Ginger M, Premoli M, Memo M, Frick A, Pietropaolo S. Autism Res. 2017 Oct;10(10):1584-1596.
doi: 10.1002/aur.1814.

Assessing recent and remote associative olfactory memory in rats using the social transmission of food preference paradigm. Bessières B, Nicole O, Bontempi B. Nat Protoc. 2017 Jul;12(7):1415-1436.
doi: 10.1038/nprot.2017.050.

Age-specific autistic-like behaviors in heterozygous Fmr1-KO female mice. Gauducheau M, Lemaire-Mayo V, D’Amato FR, Oddi D, Crusio WE, Pietropaolo S. Autism Res. 2017 Jun;10(6):1067-1078. doi: 10.1002/aur.1743.

Changes in C57BL6 Mouse Hippocampal Transcriptome Induced by Hypergravity Mimic Acute Corticosterone-Induced Stress. Pulga A, Porte Y, Morel JL Front Mol Neurosci. 2016 Dec 26;9:153.
doi: 10.3389/fnmol.2016.00153

Team leader