Department of Neurophysiology and Neuropharmacology (Center for Physiology and Pharmacology)
Position: Associate Professor
Location: Schwarzspanierstraße 17
Phone: +43 1 40160-31220
E-Mail: ornella.valenti@meduniwien.ac.at
Research Area
Biological Psychiatry, Neuropharmacology, Neurophysiology and behavioral
Research Interests
Adenosine, Affective Disorders, Psychotic, Alzheimer Disease, Association Learning, Cerebral Cortex, Cognition Disorders, Decision Making, Dopamine, Electrophysiology, Extinction, Psychological, GABAergic Neurons, Limbic System, Memory, Mental Retardation, X-Linked, Motivation, Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate, Reward, Schizophrenia, Stress, Physiological
Principle Investigator(s)
Interest Group(s)
Abstract
I am interested in neuronal circuits supporting cognition, motivation, and pro-social behavior. In addition, I examine the means by which the experience of early-life stress might enhance the risk of developing psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia.
Techniques
We employ a system as well as a cellular approach in behavioral and genetic murine models, and investigate the dynamics of specific neuronal circuits by a battery of electrophysiological approaches and pharmacological manipulations. As part of Prof. Boehm group, we also have access to confocal and fluorescence microscopes, and to a molecular biology lab. Techniques include:
- Electrophysiology, in-vivo and ex-vivo single unit recordings from anesthetized rodents;
- Electrophysiology, whole-cell patch-clamp recordings from rodent acute slices;
- Pharmacological and chemogenetic manipulation of brain circuits;
- Cognitive and motivational behavioral tasks;
- Rodent models of psychosis, motivation and stress disorders;
- Immunohistochemistry