Functional connectivity of neuronal networks is fundamentally important for information processing of the brain. My research group studies how animal cognition and behaviors are mediated by local neural networks and how these functions are disrupted by neurological and mental disorders at the cellular and network level. Using techniques of in vivo two-photon fluorescence microscopy, miniature endoscope imaging in freely moving animals, and patch clamp recordings approaches, our group investigate mechanisms for how population activity of neuronal ensembles code perception and memory that are associated with animals’ behaviors, how alterations in the local neuronal network are related to brain diseases, and how ensemble activity is modulated by GPCRs. Unveiling the neuron population coding in brain diseases and the role of GPCRs in it will provide critical insight into development of new therapeutic avenues.

1.Mei YY, Lee MH, Cheng TC, Hsiao IH, Wu DC*, Zhou N*. (2020) NMDA receptors sustain but do not initiate neuronal depolarization in spreading depolarization. Neurobiology of Disease, 145:105071.

2.Mei YY, Wu DC, Zhou N*. (2018) Astrocytic regulation of glutamate transmission in Schizophrenia. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 9:544.

3.Wu DC, Chen RY, Cheng TC, Chiang YC, Shen ML, Hsu LL, Zhou N*. (2018) Spreading depression promotes astrocytic calcium oscillations and enhances gliotransmission to hippocampal neurons. Cerebral Cortex, 38(11):2818-2831.

4.Wang CH, Hernandez CC, Wu J, Zhou N, Hsu HY, Shen ML, Wang YC, Macdonald RL and Wu DC. (2018) A missense mutation A384P associated with human hyperekplexia reveals a desensitization site of glycine receptors. Journal of Neuroscience, 38(11):2818-2831.

5.Lin CH, Hsu SP, Cheng TC, Huang CW, Chiang YC, Hsiao IH, Lee MH, Shen ML, Wu DC, Zhou N*. (2017) Effects of anti-epileptic drugs on spreading depolarization-induced epileptiform activity in mouse hippocampal slices. Scientific Reports, (1)11884.

6.Shen ML, Wang CH, Chen RY, Zhou N*, Kao ST*, Wu DC*. (2016) Luteolin inhibits GABAA receptors in HEK cells and brain slices. Scientific Reports, (6)27695.

7.Rosenegger DG, Tran CH, LeDue J, Zhou N, Gordon GR. (2014) A high performance, cost-effective, open-source microscope for scanning two-photon microscopy that is modular and readily adaptable. PLoS One. 9(10):e110475.

8.Zhou N, Wang CH, Zhang S, Wu DC. (2013) The GLRA1 Missense Mutation W170S Associates Lack of Zn²⁺ Potentiation with Human Hyperekplexia. Journal of Neuroscience, 33(45):17675-81.

9.Zhou N, Rungta RL, Malik A, Han H, Wu DC, MacVicar BA. (2013) Regenerative glutamate release by presynaptic NMDA receptors contributes to spreading depression. Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism, 33(10):1582-94.

10.Choi HB, Gordon GR, Zhou N, Tai C, Rungta RL, Martinez J, Milner TA, Ryu JK, McLarnon JG, Tresguerres M, Levin LR, Buck J, MacVicar BA (2012). Metabolic communication between neurons and astrocytes via bicarbonate-responsive soluble adenylyl cyclase. Neuron, 75 (6):1094-1104.

11.Zhou N, Gordon GRJ, Feighan D, MacVicar BA (2010) Transient swelling, acidification and mitochondrial depolarization occurs in neurons but not astrocytes during spreading depression. Cerebral Cortex, 20 (11): 2614-2624.

12.Thompson RJ, Zhou N, MacVicar BA (2006) Ischemia opens neuronal gap junction hemichannels. Science, 312:924-927.

13.Brust TB, Cayabyab FS, Zhou N, MacVicar BA (2006) p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase contributes to adenosine A1 receptor-mediated synaptic depression in area CA1 of the rat hippocampus. The Journal of Neuroscience. 26: 12427 -12438.