| Astrid Bjørnebekk |
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Post Doctoral Fellow I have my PhD from the Karolinska Institute, Department of Neuroscience where I investigated molecular mechanisms of depression and antidepressant treatments in a rodent model of depression. Of particular interest was the potential of voluntary running to induce plasticity in the brain and how it relates to alleviation of depressive symptoms. We investigated factors involved in hippocampal plasticity or affecting neurotransmission in striatal dopamine pathways as neurogenesis, and gene expression of endogenous opioids, the neurotrophic factor BDNF, the neuropeptide NPY, as well as dopamine and serotonin receptors. My main research interest I have a broad interest in neuroscience, and I’m fascinated by the "new" understanding of the brain as a plastic organ that changes and where nerve cells are added throughout the lifespan. My main research interest concerns how biological and environmental factors (and interactions between them) may influence brain development or induce changes in the adult brain, and how these brain changes relates to behavior/personality, cognition, and psychiatric disease.A related interest is to understand the involvement of different neurotransmitter systems (dopamine in particular) and neuropeptides in cognition and personality, and if genetic variation affecting neurotransmission is related to brain development, behavior, cognition, personality traits and vulnerability to psychiatric illness. To better understand such underlying mechanisms of brain characteristics we will use a methodologically broad approach including brain imaging techniques, neuropsychological testing, ERP and genotyping of candidate genes. Post Doctoral Project"Neurocognitive development in children born to mothers with substance abuse and psychiatric disorders: biological-social interaction effects"The project is a continuation and extension of an ongoing study of children whose mothers either used drugs during pregnancy and/or have a psychiatric disorder, and a control group without such risk factors. At this time point we investigate the children at the age of 4 with structural MRI and diffusion tensor imaging techniques, cognitive and behavioural measures. Also, candidate gene variants thought to affect opioid or dopamine signalling that might influence the outcome of drug exposure or a socially impoverished environment are investigated. Conceivably this project will add knowledge about the impact of prenatal exposure to drugs on the developing brain. The project is funded by NFR and is collaboration between national and international researcher from different disciplines. Kristine Walhovd is project leader here at the CSHC and where we are responsible for the part of the study involving MRI scanning, analysis and genetics. Neuropsychological testing and behavioural observation is done at R-BUP where Vibeke Moe is the project leader.
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People
Astrid Bjørnebekk