We have revealed that our mind is shaped by motility of synaptic connections , and unravel the mysteries of our mind and mental disorders.
How does learning occur and memory is stored in the brain? In the cerebrum, excitatory synapses are formed on tiny spiny protrusions of dendrites called dendritic spines. We developed opto-chemical manipulation of synapses before optogenetics, and have revealed that dendritic spines show a structure-function relationship, rapid enlargement for LTP, time-dependent modulation by dopamine, slow fluctuations to manage memory, and physically act on presynaptic terminals. We also developed optical labeling and interrogation of active synapses in vivo. These spine dynamics must underlie cognitive functions such as perception, attention, emotion, decision- making, and planning. In mental disorders, such as schizophrenia, autism, depression, drug addiction, and dementia, impairments of spine function lead to deficits in cognitive and subjective functions. We are currently studying the ultimate mysteries of the brain.
Dr. Masanari Ohtsuka has joined Kasai Lab.
Our paper Sleep induction by spine enlargement in mPFC has now published in Science 385(2024) 1459-1465.
Our new grant from AMED Brain/MIND 2 has been accepted.
We had a cherry & poem party at the Sumida river.
Five principles of spine synapses in brain function has published.
Our new review on Mechanical transmission at spine synapse has been published.
Dr. Sawada won an Inoue award of doctor thesis.
The Inaugural lecture of Haruo Kasai in WPI-IRCN is uploaded in YouTube.
April 1, 2022
Haruo Kasai is assigned as a project professor in WPI-IRCN.
Dr. Haruo Kasai receives the Imperial Prize and the Japan Academy Prize
The last lecture of Prof. Haruo Kasai in Faculty of Medicine will be delivered at Tetsumon-kodo and Zoom.
Our paper on the mechanical synaptic transmission has been published in Nature. F1000 Recommendation
Our review article on spine dynamics has published Nature Reviews Neuroscience.
Ms. Yuki Sakata has joined our lab!
Tomoki Arima has joined as a graduate student.
Dr. Fumihiro Eto has joined our lab!