Dementia is one of the leading causes of death in the UK and worldwide. Mechanisms underlying the development of dementia and other neurological diseases are not fully understood. However, it has become obvious that microglia-mediated neuroinflammation plays a major role in a wide variety of neurological diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. It has been shown that activated microglia can have beneficial and detrimental effects in brain pathology.
Dr Claudia Eder has identified microglial ion channels which are considered as potential drug targets in neurological diseases. Dr Eder’s research focuses on understanding physiological mechanisms underlying microglial activation. Her research group has identified ion channels, ion transporters and intracellular signalling pathways that are involved in microglial shape changes, production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and reactive oxygen species, cell migration and others. Some of these microglial ion channels are now considered as potential therapeutic drug targets for neurological diseases.
Dr Eder’s studies mainly use patch-clamping, fluorescence imaging and cell biology techniques. Her current research is aimed at understanding interactions between microglial cells, astrocytes and neurons in health and disease. She has a special interest in developing strategies for selectively reducing cytotoxic effects of activated microglia following acute brain injury or infection and in neurological diseases which are accompanied by chronic neuroinflammation.
Publications