Thesis topics

The forebrain glucose-monitoring neural network and the central regulation of homeostasis.
Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Karádi Zoltán

Forebrain taste information processing and the central feeding control.
Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Karádi Zoltán

The role of RFamide-related peptides in the regulation of behavioral and cognitive functions.
Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Lénárd László

Examination of synaptic connections in the retina by super-resolution microscopy.
Supervisors: Dr. Fusz Katalin, Dr. Telkes Ildikó

Investigation of P2 purinergic receptors with confocal and super-resolution microscopy techniques in the brain.
Supervisor: Dr. Kovács Gergely


Central neural regulation of hunger, satiety and body weight regulation. Regulation distrurbances in human diseases.
Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Lénárd László

The role of brain monoaminergic systems in behavioral regulation, addiction and  in other human diseases.
Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Lénárd László

Neurophysiology of parallel processing mechanisms in stereoscopic vision in animal experiments.
Supervisors: Dr. Buzás Péter Dr. Kóbor Péter

Colour and luminance in stereoscopic vision.
Supervisors: Dr. Buzás Péter, Dr. Jandó Gábor

Investigation of stereopsis with the method of sensory masking.
Supervisors: Dr. Buzás Péter, Dr. Cziger- Nemes Vanda

Discovery of retinal neuron networks.
Supervisors: Dr. Buzás Péter, Dr. Telkes Ildikó

Discovery of corticogeniculate feedback mechanisms in the visual system.
Supervisors: Dr. Kóbor Péter, Dr. Buzás Péter

Investigation of retinal alterations in preclinical models of neurodevelopmental disorders.
Supervisors: Dr. Telkes Ildikó, Dr. Fusz Katalin

Post-traumatic stress disorder from the viewpoint of metabolism.
Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Zelena Dóra

Preclinical model of Alzheimer disease.
Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Zelena Dóra

Stress control on the hypothalamus from here and beyond.
Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Zelena Dóra

Regulatory factors of fertility.
Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Zelena Dóra

Autism spectrum disorder and vasopressin.
Supervisor: Plangár Imola

The role of tachykinins and the neuropeptide interactions in learning, reinforcement, and memory processes, and in the regulation of addictive behavior.
Supervisor: Dr. Kertes Erika

Role of TRPM4 ion channel in temporal lobe epilepsy.
Supervisor: Dr. Kecskés Miklós

Examination of behavioural effects and interactions of neurotensin.
Supervisor: Dr. Ollmann Tamás

"Examination of autism spectrum disorder with animal model".
Supervisor: Dr. László Kristóf

The physiology and pharmacology of stress processes. The role of RFamide peptides in the regulation of behavioral processes.
Supervisor: Dr. Kovács Anita

Functional magnetic resonance imaging in rodents: application of the MEMRI technique.
Supervisor: Dr. Gálosi Rita

Examination of the neural activity of the PFC using multielectrode extracellular conduction in a freely moving animal during reinforcement learning.
Supervisors: Dr. Gálosi Rita Petykó Zoltán

Artificial intelligence in visual electrophysiology.
Supervisors: Dr. Jandó Gábor Radó János

Binocular visual evoked potentials.
Supervisors: Dr. Jandó Gábor Dr. Buzás Péter

Psychophysical and neuroimaging methods in eye ophthalmological diseases.
Supervisors: Dr. Jandó Gábor, Dr. Cziger-Nemes Vanda

Neurophysiology of parallel processing mechanisms in stereoscopic vision in humans.
Supervisors: Dr. Jandó Gábor Dr. Mikó-Baráth Eszter

Investigation of 3D vision with EEG and fMRI methods.
Supervisor: Dr. Jandó Gábor

Mitochondrial Regulation and Cognitive Performance: The Central Role of UCP2 in Brain Energy Homeostasis

Neuronal energy supply largely relies on mitochondrial oxidative metabolism, which produces ATP but also generates potentially harmful reactive oxygen species (ROS). Uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) influences mitochondrial efficiency, thermogenesis, and oxidative stress by modulating proton leak across the inner mitochondrial membrane. The aim of this project is to investigate the role of hippocampal UCP2 expression and function in cognitive performance. Behavioral tests combined with molecular biological methods such as qPCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry will be applied to explore the relationship between mitochondrial regulation and cognitive function.

Supervisor: Szabó Adrienn

 

Muscle Alterations in an Animal Model of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Molecular Analysis of Mitochondrial Changes

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects not only the central nervous system but may also induce metabolic alterations in peripheral tissues. In this study, we analyze molecular changes in the gastrocnemius muscle of mice exposed to the single prolonged stress (SPS) model of PTSD. Using Western blot and qPCR techniques, we primarily focus on mitochondrial alterations that may reflect stress-induced metabolic dysfunctions in skeletal muscle.

Supervisor: Szabó Adrienn

 

The Effect of Chemogenetic Manipulation of Medial Septal Cholinergic Cells on Learning and Memory Consolidation in Female Triple Transgenic Alzheimer Model Mice

 

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive cognitive decline, particularly affecting learning and memory. The cholinergic system plays a central role in regulating these functions; however, the precise mechanisms remain incompletely understood. In this project we focus on the medial septum (MS) of the basal forebrain and aim to investigate the behavioral consequences of manipulating MS cholinergic neurons. The experiments utilize the 3xAD-ChAT-Cre mouse line, generated by crossing the triple transgenic 3xTg-AD model with ChAT-Cre animals, which express Cre recombinase in cholinergic neurons and display progressive AD-related pathology. In 9-month-old female mice, MS cholinergic neurons are targeted using chemogenetic techniques with stimulatory and inhibitory DREADD receptors delivered via adeno-associated viral vectors (AAV). Learning and memory functions are assessed using multiple behavioral paradigms including Y-maze, Morris water maze, radial arm maze, and novel object recognition. The aim of the study is to determine how medial septal cholinergic modulation influences memory processes and hippocampal function in an Alzheimer’s disease model.

Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Zelena Dóra, Szabó Adrienn