Massimo Avoli, MD, PhD
Professor
![Massimo Avoli, MD, PhD Massimo Avoli, MD, PhD](/neurology-neurosurgery/files/neurology-neurosurgery/styles/medium_focal__220_x_220_/public/avoli_jpeg_1_0.jpg?itok=OEB_eOZa)
Dr. Avoli鈥檚 laboratory employs electrophysiological, pharmacological and molecular approaches to analyze the excitability of the rodent forebrain in experimental preparations both聽in vivo聽and聽in vitro. These studies focus on the interplay of inhibitory and excitatory mechanisms, especially as they relate to the genesis of synchronicity in neuronal networks. These neuronal processes are thought to be fundamental for understanding the mechanisms underlying the generation of seizures in epileptic patients, which could lead to develop new anti-epileptic strategies. Dr. Avoli is particularly interested in the pathophysiology of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy, one of the most common forms of focal epilepsy in adulthood. Ongoing studies center on the role of GABAA聽receptor-mediated signaling, of neurosteroids, and of high-frequency oscillations (80-500 Hz) as well as the activity of single cells during epileptogenesis and ictogenesis in this focal epileptic disorder. Dr. Avoli employs optogenetic protocols to test the hypothesis that activation of specific cell types leads to peculiar seizure onset patterns in聽in vitro聽and聽in vivo聽preparations. These optogenetic procedures seek to identify whether and how such cellular processes might influence and halt epileptogenesis.聽
Several of Dr. Avoli's studies originate from collaborations with his colleagues at the MNI, 平特五不中, and Universit茅 de Montr茅al (Drs. S. Baillet, G. Di Cristo, J. Gotman, and S. Williams), in Germany (Dr. R. K枚hling), in Italy (Drs. G. Biagini, M. Cataldi and M. de Curtis), and in the USA (Drs. M. Bazhenov, M. Rogawski and S. Vicini).
Neural Circuits
Gonz谩lez OC, Shiri Z, Krishnan GP, Myers TL, Williams S, Avoli M, Bazhenov M. (2018) Role of KCC2-dependent potassium efflux in 4-aminopyridine-induced epileptiform synchronization.聽Neurobiol Dis.聽109: 137-147.
Shiri Z, L茅vesque M, Etter G, Manseau F, Williams S, Avoli M. (2017) Optogenetic low-frequency stimulation of specific neuronal populations abates ictogenesis.聽J Neurosci.聽37: 2999-3008.
Shiri Z, Manseau F, L茅vesque M, Williams S, Avoli M. (2016) Activation of specific neuronal networks leads to different seizure onset types.聽Ann Neurol.聽79: 354-65.
Avoli M, de Curtis M, Gnatkovsky V, Gotman J, K枚hling R, L茅vesque M, Manseau F, Shiri Z, Williams S. (2016) Specific imbalance of excitatory/inhibitory signaling establishes seizure onset pattern in temporal lobe epilepsy.聽J Neurophysiol.聽115: 3229-3237.
L茅vesque M, Herrington R, Hamidi S, Avoli M. (2016) Interneurons spark seizure-like activity in the entorhinal cortex.聽Neurobiol Dis.聽87: 91-101.
L茅vesque M, Salami P, Gotman J, Avoli M. (2012) Two seizure-onset types reveal specific patterns of high-frequency oscillations in a model of temporal lobe epilepsy.聽J Neurosci.聽32: 13264-13272.