Dr. John Georgiou

Dr. Georgiou is a research scientist specializing in neuroscience, the study of the nervous system. He is interested in deciphering the defects that occur in a variety of brain disorders. Of particular interest are the learning & memory dysfunctions in Alzheimer’s disease, autism spectrum disorders, multiple sclerosis, and psychiatric disorders. He aims to find i) methods to enhance cognitive function and i) treatments for preventing these disorders.

While neurodevelopmental changes can lead to some of the above-mentioned brain disorders, all of these disorders are associated with impairments in synaptic communication and/or plasticity. Synaptic plasticity modulates the strength of neuronal signals, and is recognized as the cellular mechanism underlying learning & memory. Thus the work aims to understand and identify changes in brain communication, at the level of tiny communication hubs between neurons, known as synapses.

Multiple recording methods are employed including microscopy (imaging), electrophysiology (electrical signals), behaviour (learning & memory cognitive performance tasks), and biochemistry (genetic material and molecular composition). Biological functions are studied at levels ranging from the whole animal (mouse models of disease) down to brain circuits, cells and molecules. Understanding the mechanisms involved in brain cell development, communication, and plasticity (including remodelling) are critical for designing and testing new treatment approaches that are urgently needed.