Cellular neurobiology of the human brain in health and disease
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring the physiology of brain neurons, glia and vasculature in health, and their dysfunction in ischaemia and neurodegenerative disease
IRAS ID
273387
Contact name
David Attwell
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University College London
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Z6364106/2020/03/51, UCL Data Protection Number
Duration of Study in the UK
5 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Work from our laboratory on rodents has studied the response of brain cells (including nerve cells, supporting 'glial' and immune cells, and blood vessel cells) both in normal conditions and in models of neurological diseases, including stroke, multiple sclerosis (MS) and Alzheimer's disease. To translate this work into potential treatments for these diseases, we need to understand if the same processes occur in the human brain, both in children and adults.
During neurosurgical operations for epilepsy, brain tumours or vascular malformations, tiny pieces of brain are removed during the procedure. These tiny pieces are usually discarded. For patients enrolled in this study, instead of discarding this tissue, it will be kept viable in a special oxygenated solution and brought to the laboratory.
In the lab, the brain tissue will be cut into very thin slices, which will then be studied under the microscope. Using this technique, individual brain cells - termed neurons, glia (including astrocytes, microglia and oligodendrocytes), immune cells, endothelial cells and pericytes - can be imaged and their responses to physiologically and pathologically relevant conditions (e.g. reduced oxygen, as in stroke) and drugs can be studied.
Stroke in children is as common a problem as brain tumours in this age group, but has been far less studied. Almost all stroke research is focussed on adults. Tissue obtained during paediatric neurosurgery procedures offers a unique opportunity to study this important condition.
We have already established the importance of special brain cells called 'pericytes' in Alzheimer's disease (Nortley...Attwell, Science 2019). By obtaining human tissue we can further explore the properties of, interactions between other cell types and blood vessels in this and other neurological diseases, and test drugs for use as potential treatments.
REC name
East of England - Cambridge Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/EE/0232
Date of REC Opinion
26 Oct 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion