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Thesis title: "The Role of Synaptic Noise in Cortical Excitability"
Supervisor: Professor Roland Jones

Society for Neuroscience

British Neuroscience Association

British Pharmacology Society

HEA : Senior Fellow

Abolishing spontaneous epileptiform activity in human brain tissue through AMPA receptor inhibition

Barrel Cortex as a Model System for Understanding the Molecular, Structural, and Functional Basis of Cortical Plasticity

Phase-amplitude coupled persistent theta and gamma oscillations in rat primary motor cortex in vitro

Time-course and mechanisms of homeostatic plasticity in layers 2/3 and 5 of the barrel cortex

CCR5 is a suppressor for cortical plasticity and hippocampal learning and memory

Dr Stuart Greenhill's research is focussed around the mechanisms of synaptic plasticity in physiological and disease states. By using a combination of electrophysiology, functional imaging and molecular biology, we can probe the receptors and cellular processes that cause neural circuits and synapses to alter their strengths and functions in response to the changing stimulus of the outside world. This natural process would appear to be subject to critical developmental periods and be disrupted in several psychiatric and neurological conditions, so further study of its function and dysfunction is crucial to our understanding of neuroscience and psychiatry.

Schizoprenia

Pharmacology

Electrophysiology

Neuroscience

Epilepsy

Aston Research Explorer Profile

ResearchGate Citations

Google Scholar Citations

researchers-reveal-cbd-can-counter-epileptic-seizures-in-children

Senior Lecturer in Neuroscience

Professor, Aston Pharmacy School

  • Aston University epilepsy model used to illustrate the mechanisms of seizure activity • Results suggest how CBD can be useful in the treatment of childhood epilepsy • New insight into potential future interventions for hard-to-treat epilepsy. Researchers at Aston University have contributed to the discovery of a previously unknown way in which cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive component of cannabis, can reduce seizures in many treatment-resistant forms of childhood epilepsy.  

A group of international collaborators, led by scientists at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, including a team from the Aston Institute of Health and Neurodevelopment at Aston University, found that CBD blocked signals carried by a molecule called lysophosphatidylinositol (LPI). 

LPI is found in our brain’s neurons and is thought to amplify nerve signals as part of normal function but can be hijacked by some epilepsies to promote seizures.
The study, published in the journal Neuron, expanded on previous findings showing that CBD blocks the ability of the molecule LPI to amplify nerve signals in a brain region called the hippocampus.

The current study argues that, for the first time, the molecule also weakens signals that counter seizures, further explaining the value of CBD treatment and the generation of seizure activity in epileptic people.   

As part of the research group, the Aston University team used a leading model of epilepsy, developed by Professor Gavin Woodhall, to perform recordings of electrical signals in brain cells taken from epileptic rodents, some of which had been treated with CBD. By doing this, they were able to pinpoint the molecular mechanisms by which CBD acts to prevent seizure activity in epileptic brains.

Professor Woodhall, co-director of Aston Institute for Health and Neurodevelopment, said: “These new insights into epilepsy and the mechanism by which CBD works to stop seizures is the fruit of years of collaboration between neuroscientists in the UK and USA and our industry partner, GW Pharma. We are hopeful that it will lead to even better treatments in future”.  Dr Stuart Greenhill, senior lecturer in neuroscience, Aston Institute for Health and Neurodevelopment added: "We are delighted that our epilepsy model is being used to make such meaningful breakthroughs in the mechanisms of epilepsy and is paving the way for a wider range of future treatments".   Corresponding author Richard W Tsien, chair of the Department of Physiology and Neuroscience at NYU Langone Health, said: “Our results deepen the field’s understanding of a central seizure-inducing mechanism, with many implications for the pursuit of new treatment approaches. “The study also clarified, not just how CBD counters seizures, but more broadly how circuits are balanced in the brain. Related imbalances are present in autism and schizophrenia, so the paper may have a broader impact.”  The results build on how each neuron “fires” to send an electrical pulse down an extension of itself until it reaches a synapse, the gap that connects it to the next cell in a neuronal pathway, and how this activity can change in a network which is likely to generate epileptic seizures. 

For more information about Aston Institute of Health and Neurodevelopment (IHN) please visit our website. 

Researchers reveal CBD can counter epileptic seizures in children

our-plastic-brains-the-wonderful-world-of-wiring-waves-and-wandering-livestreamed-public-lecture

  Aston Institute of Health and Neurodevelopment to host fourth in a series of livestreamed public lectures Lecture to explore Dr Stuart Greenhill's research into how the making and breaking of connections in our brains leads us to learn new skills and new information and how it affects neurological conditions such as epilepsy and schizophrenia The one-hour livestream will be followed by a Q&A and round table discussion.  Aston Institute for Health and Neurodevelopment (IHN) will host its next livestreamed public lecture in the series Molecules to Minds with Dr Stuart Greenhill on Aston University’s digital channel Aston Originals on Thursday 23 February. 

In the lecture ‘Our plastic brains – the wonderful world of wiring, waves and wandering’ Dr Greenhill will explore through his research how the natural process of making and breaking connections in our brains leads us to learn new skills and new information. He will explain how this process changes in neurological conditions such as epilepsy and schizophrenia. 

Dr Stuart Greenhill, senior lecturer in neuroscience, said: “Many of us will have heard of the concept of synaptic plasticity, but it’s something that is often misunderstood and underestimated at the same time. 

“By gaining a better understanding of how our changing synapses shape the activity of our brains, we can make new insights into how we develop as children and young adults, and how this process can differ in certain neurological conditions.

“I hope you can join me and hear more about how our brains are built and why a good night’s sleep is the best revision technique.”

After the livestreamed lecture, Dr Greenhill and his host Professor Gavin Woodhall, co-director of IHN, will hold a 15-minute Q&A discussion, where audience members can ask  questions.

The livestream will take place at 16:00 – 17:00 GMT on Thursday 23 February on the Aston Originals YouTube channel. To register for this event please visit our Eventbrite page. 

Our plastic brains: the wonderful world of wiring, waves and wandering – livestreamed public lecture

new-method-of-examining-the-brains-electrical-signals-could-hold-the-key-to-better-treatment-of-epilepsy-and-schizophrenia

  Researchers are exploring new ways to ‘listen’ to and record electrical signals emitted from brain cells Findings could be used to help treat conditions like epilepsy and schizophrenia Project will use newly developed nanomaterials to keep removed samples of brain healthy for longer to allow more understanding of what generates epileptic seizures.  A new method of examining the brain’s electrical signals could hold the key to better treatment and understanding of conditions like epilepsy and schizophrenia.
Researchers at Aston University are exploring new ways to ‘listen’ to and record electrical signals emitted from brain cells, which could be used to help treat the conditions.

Dr Petro Lutsyk, lecturer in electronic engineering and systems in the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences and member of Aston Institute of Photonic Technologies (AIPT), together with Dr Stuart Greenhill, senior lecturer in neuroscience in the College of Health and Life Sciences and member of Aston Institute of Health and Neurodevelopment (IHN), have been awarded £100,000 by the Royal Society to conduct the project Nanomaterial Webs for Revolutionary Brain Recording.

Currently, epilepsy patients who can’t be helped by drugs may undergo brain surgery in order to prevent seizures, removing the part of the brain that is the ‘focus’ of the seizures.

Dr Greenhill said: “The research project will use newly developed nanomaterials to keep samples of brain healthy and active for far longer than current technology allows, whilst recording the activity of the tissue. 

“This allows more understanding of what generates epileptic seizures and opens up new avenues for drug development, meaning fewer surgeries may be needed in the future. 

“Eventually, the technology may lead to new and better ways of recording from patients’ brains before surgery.”

The two-year project will see materials and electronic engineering applied to translational neuroscience research.

The grant is from the Royal Society APEX Awards scheme (Academies Partnership in Supporting Excellence in Cross-disciplinary research award) which offers researchers with a strong track record in their area an opportunity to pursue interdisciplinary research to benefit wider society.

For more information about studying at Aston University please visit our website. 

New method of examining the brain’s electrical signals could hold the key to better treatment of epilepsy and schizophrenia

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