Arne Schousboe

Arne Schousboe

Professor, emeritus

Primary fields of research

GABA transporters as targets for development of antiepileptic drugs

Energy substrates for maintenance of glutamate and GABA mediated neurotransmission

New roles of glycogen in relation to neurotransmission

Teaching

Biochemistry

Neuropharmacology

Current research

The research is focused on biochemical, pharmacological and functional characterization of processes involved in the homeostasis of the neurotransmitters glutamate and GABA. Using cell culture systems (primary cultures of neurons and astrocytes from cerebral cortex or cerebellum), neuronal-astrocytic interactions involved in this are investigated. Additionally, expression systems are used to characterize at the molecular level the pharmacology of transporters and receptors involved in glutamatergic and GABAergic neuerotransmission. Moreover, studies are conducted to investigate the molecular mechanisms involved in neurodegeneration related to malfunction of the glutamatergic neurotransmission system (excitotoxicity).

Focus is placed on cell culture systems of neurons and astrocytes allowing studies to be performed on the interactions between these cells necessary to maintain optimal function of the amino acid mediated neurotransmission. Particular interest is placed on studies of the relative importance of the energy substrates glycogen, glucose and lactate in the maintenance of the above mentioned neurotransmission processes.

ID: 1300836