CV Science

Jérôme THIREAU Ventricular arrhythmia and autonomic nervous system

Course and current status

CNRS, Associate scientist.

Scientific summary

I defended my thesis on arrhythmogenic susceptibility related to autonomic nervous system dysfunction in 2007. I developed expertise in in vivo electrophysiology and defined a method to investigate autonomic regulation of cardiac function based on telemetric electrocardiograms (Tours’ University, 2004-2007). I joined my lab in 2008 at Montpellier on a post-doctoral fellowship (2008-2013) to develop integrative electrophysiological investigations and acquired solid experience in cellular electrophysiology, pharmacology and intracellular Ca²⁺ signaling. I worked about the implication of neurohormonal imbalance during heart failure in relation with sympathetic system and the role of abnormal activity of ryanodine receptors due to different origins (catecholamine polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, Duchenne cardiomyopathy, CO pollution, and ischemia-reperfusion) in the genesis of ventricular arrhythmia. I hold CNRS position in 2013 and I am developing a project targeting the implication of autonomic nervous system on the life-threatening arrhythmia, in particular linked to lengthened ventricular repolarization with the aim to develop new strategies to prevent life threatening arrhythmia. With my experience in cell biology, electrophysiology and pharmacology, I already contributed to demonstrate the role of ANS in the genesis of cardiac arrhythmia in several pathologies (CPVT, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, heart failure, Huntington disease, hERG-blocking drugs). Through collaborative works, we are developing new approach to assess arrhythmic risk of drug-candidates (hERG-blockers) by combining the assessment of the autonomic function and the cardiac electrophysiologic properties. I am also involved in teaching of integrative physiology (muscular, cardiac physiology, nervous system) at the University of Montpellier, University Paris-Diderot, and at training institutes for health professions (nurse, physiotherapy). I am also independent scientific Expert for French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety since 2014.