Serotonergic modulation of learning and plasticity

We are currently studying how serotonin influence learning, and through which neural mechanisms. We are interested in understanding the involvement of specific serotonergic pathways in learning, reward and punishment and neuroplasticity (synaptic and intrinsic plasticity). To this end, we use a combination of behavioural tests (fear conditioning and appetitive conditioning), pharmacology, optical tools and slice electrophysiology)

Techniques

Learning tasks in rodents

Patch clamp electrophysiology

Pharmacology

Optogenetics/Pharmacogenetics

Immunohistochemistry

Imaging of neural activity

Related publications

Sengupta A, Bocchio M, Bannerman DM, Sharp T, & Capogna M. Control of amygdala circuits by 5-HT neurons via 5-HT and glutamate co-transmission. The Journal of Neuroscience, 37(7), 2238–16.

Bocchio M, Fisher SP, Unal G, Ellender TJ, Vyazovskiy VV & Capogna M. Sleep and serotonin modulate paracapsular nitric oxide synthase expressing neurons of the amygdala. eNeuro, 3(October).

Bocchio M, McHugh SB, Bannerman DM, Sharp, T., & Capogna, M. Serotonin, amygdala and fear: assembling the puzzle. Frontiers in Neural Circuits, 10, 10:24.

Bocchio M, Fucsina G, Oikonomidis L, McHugh SB, Bannerman DM, Sharp T & Capogna M. Increased serotonin transporter expression reduces fear and recruitment of parvalbumin interneurons of the amygdala. Neuropsychopharmacology, 40(13), 3015–3026.