CV Science

Patricia Gaspar MD,PhD

Course and current status

Degrees

. 1976 Medical residency  (Internat des Hôpitaux de Paris),

. 1978 Master in Biochemistry (Paris VI University)

. 1983 Medical thesis, Paris VI University, St Antoine,

. 1983 Masters  in Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology (Paris VI),

. 1985 PhD in Molecular Pharmacology, Paris VI University,

Education and Professional experience

1970-1976      : Medical School University Paris VI, St Antoine.

1977-1983      : Medical residency, Paris Hospitals (Psychiatry, Neurology, Neuropathology)

1979-1980      : Medical residency in the Centre for Neurology of Tunis, Tunisia.

1980-1983      : Graduate student, Laboratory of B Berger (Hôpital Salpêtrière Paris)

1986-1995      : INSERM Research Associate -(Constantino Sotelo laboratory)

1990-1991  :   Visiting Professor University of Vanderbilt – USA (Jon Kaas laboratory) 

1995-present  : INSERM Research Director (DR2), group leader,

2003-2006      : Unit Director, INSERM U616, Hôpital Pitié Salpêtirère

2007-2012      : Board of Directors, Institut du Fer à Moulin, INSERM/UPMC U839

2010-2014 : Director of the “Ecole de Neurosciences de Paris

Scientific summary

The main aim of our research is to bring mechanistic insights into the   understanding the developmental basis of neuropsychiatric disorders. In particular, a large part of our research efforts has focused s on the developmental role of serotonin and its implications in depression-anxiety-related disorders. Using molecular and genetic approaches in mice we demonstrated a the developmental role of serotonin on neural circuit maturation underlying behavioral changes in MAOA-deficient mice, that bears some analogy to mutations in humans. Analyzing the molecular mechanisms of these changes we uncovered the transient developmental expression of serotonin transporters and receptors in defined neural circuits, and identified 5-HT1B- cAMP dependent pathways that modulate the formation of sensory maps in the brain. This also allowed linking activity-dependent mechanisms in the refinement of brain maps and showing that they are both synapse-dependent and independent. Among the current research themes in the laboratory are projects aimed at understanding the development of the control exerted by the prefrontal cortex over raphe neurons, to identify critical periods of sensitivity that could contribute to vulnerability to psychiatric diseases, and potentially explain the effects of early environmental changes on brain connectivity.