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College Wolfson College
Research Focus

Keywords

  • Rett Syndrome
  • Brain Development
  • Drug Discovery
  • Clinical Conditions

  • Rett syndrome
  • Equipment & Techniques

  • Fluorescence microscopy
  • Cell culture
  • Confocal microscopy
  • Electrophysiological recording techniques
  • Signal processing
  • Immunohistochemistry
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    Ms Natasha Duggan

    (she/her/hers)
    University Position
    MPhil Student

    Interests

    I am interested in neurodevelopmental disorders and psychopharmacology. I have a 1st class undergraduate degree in Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience. In my final year dissertation I conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis into Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) as a non-invasive stimulation treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). My current MPhil project investigates a rare neurodevelopmental disorder called Rett Syndrome (RTT). Using murine neuronal cultures grown on Multielectrode Arrays (MEAs), I am recording and analysing spontaneous neuronal activity of RTT models. I am interested in the dysfunction of parvalbumin interneurons and how RTT models containing the X-linked genetic mutation are disrupted. I am using pharmacological manipulations to explore the role of a specific class of inhibitory interneurons, and determine a regime ideal for network correction. I propose the use of nanobodies specifically targeting GABAa receptors to test my hypothesis and restore a functional network. I hope to transition my research back into Cognitive Neuroscience and explore the use of neuroimaging techniques (fMRI, PET, TMS etc.) to improve diagnosis and treatments for neurological and psychiatric disorders. I am currently applying for Research Assistant positions with projects within this theme.

    Key Publications

    Publications