Prof. Dr. med. Jochen Roeper
Institut für Neurophysiologie
Theodor-Stern-Kai 7
60590 Frankfurt
Tel +49-(0)-69-6301-84091/2
Fax +49-(0)-69-6301-6987
E-Mail: roeper@em.uni-frankfurt.de
Scientific Focus
The group focusses on the physiology and pathophysiology of the dopaminergic midbrain system, which is involved in key brain functions like voluntary movement, motivation and cogition. The dopaminergic system is involved in major brain disorders like Parkinson diseases, Schizophrenia or ADHD. We study the mechanisms and chronic plasticity of ion channels and electrical activity generated by different subtypes of dopaminergic midbrain neurons and their role of function and dysfunction in the brain.
Methods
We mainly use in vitro and in vivo patch-clamp and microelectrode recordings in mouse brain combined with neuroanatomical tracing, stereology, immunohistochemistry and transgenic as well es neurotoxicological models.
Selected Publications
Krabbe S, Duda J, Schiemann J, Poetschke C, Schneider G, Kandel ER, Liss B, Roeper J*, Simpson EH* (2015) Increased dopamine D2 receptor activity in the striatum alters the firing pattern of dopamine neurons in the ventral tegmental area. PNAS 112:E1498-506. * shared senior authors
Subramaniam M, Althof D, Gispert S, Schwenk J, Auburger G, Kulik A, Fakler B, Roeper J (2014) Mutant α-synuclein enhances firing frequencies in dopamine substantia nigra neurons by oxidative impairment of A-type potassium channels. J Neuroscience 34:13586-99.
Schiemann J, Schlaudraff F, Klose V, Bingmer M, Seino S, Magill PJ, Zaghloul KA, Schneider G, Liss B, Roeper J. (2012) K-ATP channels in dopamine substantia nigra neurons control bursting and novelty-induced exploration. Nature Neuroscience 15:1272-80
Lammel S, Hetzel A, Häckel O, Jones I, Liss B, Roeper J. (2008) Unique properties of mesoprefrontal neurons within a dual mesocorticolimbic dopamine system. Neuron 57:760-73.
Liss B, Haeckel O, Wildmann J, Miki T, Seino S and Roeper J (2005) KATP channels promote differential degeneration of dopaminergic midbrain neurons. Nature Neuroscience 8:1742-51.