Experimental Neonatology Research Group

Principal investigator:Ferenc Domoki, MD, PhD

Researchers:
Emma Balog, MS
Éva Rózsa, MS
Viktória Kovács MS,PhD - out of office
Gábor Remzső MSc
Valéria Tóth-Szűki BSc

Our study field is the so-called hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) induced by perinatal asphyxia in term neonates. We focus both on revealing the pathophysiological mechanisms of neuronal-vascular damage leading to HIE and testing promising putative neuroprotective strategies.
To achieve our goals, we utilize a subacute HIE animal model,the newborn pig that is appropriate for clinical translation.
Our research methods involve continuous monitoring of the physiology and cerebral electrical activity of the animals, performing in vivo studies on the cerebrocortical microcirculation and neuronal activity, and analysis of the obtained brain samples using histological and molecular biology techniques.

Sleep research

Lab chief: Lelkes Zoltán, MD, PhD

Translational Behavioral Neuroscience Group

Development and characterization of a complex schizophrenia rat model.
Our laboratory developed a new, complex schizophrenia rat model. The goal of the recent studies to characterize the animals applying different behavioral tests.
1. Investigation of pain threshold of the "schizophrenic rats". 2. Investigation of cognitive functions of the "schizophrenic rats". 3. Investigation of autonomic functions of the "schizophrenic rats".

Lab chief:Gyöngyi Horváth, MD, PhD

Researchers:
Gabriella Kékesi MS, PhD
Alexandra Büki MS,PhD - out of office
Leatitia Adlan MS
Szonja Plesz PhD student

Sensory research

Chemosensitive primary sensory neurons expressing members of the TRP receptor family (e.g. the capsaicin receptor) play a central role in the transmission of pain. In the Laboratory of Functional Neuromorphologyl we study the anatomical and functional properties of chemosensitive primary afferent neurons in animal models and neuronal cell cultures under physiological and pathophysiological conditions. We apply behavioural tests, laser Doppler flowmetry and light and electron microscopic functional neuromorphological techniques to examine pain mechanisms and, in particular, nociceptive functions.

Lab chief: Dux Mária MD, DSc

Researchers: Ildikó Kisné Dobos MS, PhD
Orsolya Oszlács MS, PhD
Judit Mária Tóthné Rosta MS, PhD
Szandra Győrfi-Lakatos BSc

Sensorimotor Research Group

Research topic:
Examination of parallel visual pathways in the mammalian brain.
Electrophysiological and anatomical investigation of multisensory and sensorimotor functions of the ascending tectofugal visual system and the connected basal ganglia in the mammalian brain.
Psychophysical and EEG investigation of visual associative learning in human. Sleep investigation on rats.


Lab chief: Attila Nagy MS, PhD


Researchers:
Balázs Bodosi MS, PhD
Szabolcs Kéri MD, PhD, DSc
Kálmán Tót MSc
Ádám Kiss MSc
Noémi Harcsa-Pintér MSc

Diploma students:
Márton Gaszner
Bátor Brassó
András Süle
Bulcsú Szűcs
Adél Papp
Scientific partners:
Gábor Braunitzer
Gabriella Eördegh MS,PhD (ETSZK)
András Kelemen MS,PhD SZTE JGYPK

Cognition and Perception Research Group

Our research aims to understand the complex phenomena of perception and its connection with cognitive functions. Accordingly, we examine the integration of bottom-up and top-down information in different aspects of perception. We conduct our experiments with behavioral and psychophysical methods, supplemented by EEG measurements. Our current research topics deal with issues arising in the field of statistical learning, audiovisual integration and neurolinguistics.

Laboratory Head:
Péter Kaposvári, PhD

Researchers:
András Benyhe, MD, PhD
Szabolcs Sáringer, MD, PhD

Neural Network Research Group

We are investigating the emergent activity patterns of neuronal networks during healthy and pathologic conditions in freely moving animal models. Optogenetic and high-resolution electrophysiological techniques are combined to investigate the network mechanisms during the development of epileptic seizures. We are making attempts to develop a transcranial electrical stimulation approach that can automatically terminate seizures in their early stage through a closed-loop system. Another focus of our work is on the neuronal basis of memory processes and spatial navigation in the hippocampus and related structures. The official language of the lab is English, talented undergrad students with good background in informatics/math/biophysics/biology and good manual skills are welcome.
Lab chief: Antal Berényi MD, PhD


Researchers:
Anett Nagy
Péter Ráfi
Lívia Ráfi-Barcsai
László Magor Lőrincz MS, PhD
Levente Gellért

Student research associates:
Andrea Pejin
Endre Vecsernyés
Márton Kis
Tamás Földi
István Langó
Masahiro Ohsawa PostDoc


Project manager:
Tamás Gyurkovics BSc
Csenge Szilágyi - out of office
Tímea Frank