Laboratory of Dr. Steven N. Roper, Neurophysiology of Epilepsy
Dr. Roper's laboratory studies the cellular basis of epilepsy as a complement to his clinical activities in the surgical treatment of intractable epilepsy. A variety of techniques are utilized but most projects are centered on single-cell recordings from neurons using in vitro brain slices. Alterations in synaptic connectivity, function, and plasticity are specific areas of interest. Complimentary studies of histology and neuronal structure are also pursued. Dr. Huan-Xin Chen helps direct Dr. Roper's lab and Dr. Hilda Martinez is also a valued assistant.
Dr. Roper's major project involves the problem of cortical dysplasia and epilepsy. Cortical dysplasia is a problem with brain development that often results in difficult-to-control epilepsy. Although much has been learned over the past decade, many important questions regarding cortical dysplasia and epilepsy remain unanswered: What causes it? When does it cause epilepsy? What changes take place in areas of cortical dysplasia that produce seizures? What are the best ways to prevent areas of cortical dysplasia from producing seizures?
Dr. Roper's lab studies an animal model (in utero irradiation) that produces cortical dysplasia in rats. They attempt to find out how the neural circuitry is altered in this condition using single-cell electrical recordings and microscopy. They have found that the early radiation treatment results in a loss of inhibitory neurons in the cortex. This is reflected in a loss of inhibitory electrical currents in the principal cells, the pyramidal cells. They have also shown that the surviving inhibitory neurons lack the normal complement of excitatory electrical currents; suggesting that they may be unable to regulate the excitatory activity of the cortex properly.
Dr. Roper has also enjoyed an exciting collaboration with Dr. Dennis Steindler. Together, they have characterized the functional properties of a variety of stem cells and progenitor cells as they differentiate into mature neurons. Current efforts attempt to restore the lost inhibitory neurons in the rat cortical dysplasia model in Dr. Roper's lab using neurons developed from adults neural progenitor cells from Dr. Steindler's lab.
View publications by Dr. Steven Roper
MBI-UF 2nd floor