Pharmacology

Biography

Biography: Ahmet Hacimuftuoglu

Abstract

Neurotransmitters mediate communication between neurons and non-neuronal cells. Changings in neurotransmitter levels in the synaptic area can cause or aggravate central nervous system (CNS) disorders. In the past, detecting directly of these levels has been limited in its temporal and spatial resolution because of their nature of chemical signaling and their structures. Minimally invasive techniques for monitoring brain chemistry in vivo provided better understanding of neuropharmacology of CNS disorders. For monitoring and sampling brain chemistry; voltammetric electrodes, microdialysis and related analytical techniques had been used. Microdialysis, compared to voltammetry, offers lower temporal and spatial resolution. Glutamate is a principle neurotransmitter. But it also has neurotoxic effects. In our studies we used voltammetric electrodes for detecting glutamate activities in synaptic area. Different brain areas were chosen with stereotaxy three dimensionally for each experimental disease models. We used different glutamate transporter activator or inhibitor drugs to change glutamate levels in synaptic area in different animal models. To better understand the role of glutamate in neurodegenerative disease models, we used enzyme-based microelectrodes that were selective for glutamate and measures with fast temporal and high spatial resolution. Also our understanding on drugs and their action mechanisms are increasing by this method.