Alán Alpár. Associate professor 
Semmelweis University
Faculty of Medicine. Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology. H-1085 Budapest, Üllői u.26., Hungary
Reseach subject
Neurodegenerative diseases, Neural development, Brain extracellular matrix
Summary
Our research activity focuses on neuroanatomical and synaptic changes and plasticity in neurodegeneration, especially in Alzheimer’s disease. Using different animal and transgenic mouse models, we dissect molecular machineries of synaptic plasticity and regeneration mechanisms in the mammalian, including the human brain. As its unique aspect, we analyse compartmentalization and perisynaptic recruitment of brain extracellular matrix components to explore its role in neuronal functioning and during neurodegeneration.
We have recently concentrated on “on-demand” neural machineries that regulate stress and can be inducible in regenerative mechanisms. Neurochemical characterization based on calcium-sensor protein content and function allowed us to identify hitherto unknown cell groups/mechanisms in the mammalian brain. These analyses include comparative neuroanatomical and developmental biological aspects that allow us to address and answer both cell- and system biological questions, as well as to trace malfunction during postnatal development.
Our lab applies a broad spectrum of in vitro and in vivo experimental methodology to challenge clinically relevant problems. This effort is supported by a wide circle of collaborators, including the Medical University of Vienna, the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm and the Paul Flechsig Institute of the University of Leipzig.
Publications
- Hanics J, Szodorai E, Tortoriello G, Malenczyk K, Keimpema E, Lubec G, Hevesi Z, Lutz MI, Kozsurek M, Puskár Z, Tóth ZE, Wagner L, Kovács GG, Hökfelt TG, Harkany T, Alpár A. Secretagogin-dependent matrix metalloprotease-2 release from neurons regulates neuroblast migration. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017, doi: 10.1073/pnas.1700662114.
- Lendvai D, Morawski M, Négyessy L, Gáti G, Jäger C, Baksa G, Glasz T, Attems J, Tanila H, Arendt T, Harkany T, Alpár A. Neurochemical mapping of the human hippocampus reveals perisynaptic matrix around functional synapses in Alzheimer’s disease. Acta Neuropathol 2013, 125:215-229.
- Alpár A, Di Marzo V, Harkany T. At the Tip of an Iceberg: Prenatal Marijuana and Its Possible Relation to Neuropsychiatric Outcome in the Offspring. Biol Psychiatry. 2016, 79:e33-45.
- Alpár A, Tortoriello G, Calvigioni D, Niphakis MJ, Milenkovic I, Bakker J, Cameron GA, Hanics J, Morris CV, Fuzik J, Kovacs GG, Cravatt BF, Parnavelas JG, Andrews WD, Hurd YL, Keimpema E, Harkany T. Endocannabinoids modulate cortical development by configuring Slit2/Robo1 signalling. Nat Commun 2014, 5:4421.
- Romanov RA-Alpár A, Zhang MD, Zeisel A, Calas A, Landry M, Fuszard M, Shirran SL, Schnell R, Dobolyi Á, Oláh M, Spence L, Mulder J, Martens H, Palkovits M, Uhlen M, Sitte HH, Botting CH, Wagner L, Linnarsson S, Hökfelt T, Harkany T. A secretagogin locus of the mammalian hypothalamus controls stress hormone release. EMBO J. 2015 34:36-54.