PhD (Dr rer. nat.), Dipl. Biol., FRSB
Chair in Translational Neuroscience
- About
-
- Email Address
- b.platt@abdn.ac.uk
- Telephone Number
- +44 (0)1224 437402
- Office Address
Room 6.28; School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition University of Aberdeen Institute of Medical Sciences Foresterhill ABERDEEN AB25 2ZD Scotland, UK
- School/Department
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition
Biography
Bettina Platt graduated with distinction from the University of Mainz, Germany and received her PhD from the University of Düsseldorf, Germany. After completing a prestigious personal European Fellowship at the University of Leeds, Prof Platt joined the University of Aberdeen in 1997, initially within the Department of Biomedical Sciences. Since 2009, Prof Platt holds the Chair in Translational Neuroscience within the School of Medical Sciences. She heads a multi-disciplinary research team that investigates aspects of brain function and malfunction from the single molecule to the systems level. Prof Platt has acted as Research Director for a number of large research initiatives, some of which were co-funded by the pharmaceutical industry and the Scottish government. Her national and international collaborations have brought together novel research strategies, technologies and disciplines such as imaging, drug discovery, electronics, and computer science. Prof Platt is a Fellow of the Society of Biology and a founding member of the Scottish Dementia Research Consortium (SDRC). Additionally, Prof Platt was a member of the SDRC executive board until 2016 and previously sat on the Alzheimer’s Society funding board. She currently is a member of the Scottish Alzheimer Research UK (ARUK) network board, and the ARUK Scientific Advisory Board.
External Memberships
Executive Board member, Scottish Dementia Research Consortium
North-East of Scotland Alzheimer Research UK (ARUK) network coordinator (preclinical)
Member of the ARUK Scientific Advisory Board
Alzheimer’s Society Grant Advisory Board.
Editorial Advisory Board, Recent Patents on CNS Drug Discovery
Latest Publications
Advanced qEEG analyses discriminate between dementia subtypes
Journal of Neuroscience Methods, vol. 409, 110195Contributions to Journals: ArticlesMouse Exploratory Behaviour in the Open Field with and without NAT-1 EEG Device: Effects of MK801 and Scopolamine
Biomolecules, vol. 14, no. 8, 1008Contributions to Journals: ArticlesComparison of automated video tracking systems in the open field test: ANY-Maze versus EthoVision XT
Journal of Neuroscience Methods, vol. 397, 109940Contributions to Journals: ArticlesHow stra(i)nge are your controls?: A comparative analysis of metabolic phenotypes in commonly used C57BL/6 substrains
PloS ONE, vol. 18, no. 8, e0289472Contributions to Journals: ArticlesBACE cleavage of APP does not drive the diabetic phenotype of PLB4 mice
Neurobiology of Disease, vol. 182, 106142Contributions to Journals: Articles
- Research
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Research Overview
Research interests: Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, mechanisms of neuronal plasticity, neurodegeneration and neuroprotection.
The amazing ability of the nervous system to learn and adapt to changing conditions forms the basis of our cognitive and intellectual abilities as humans, and how crucially we depend on this is demonstrated in patients suffering from neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD).
We are currently combining various procedures, from standard histology and immunocytochemistry, to cell death essays and more functional techniques based on electrophysiological and imaging techniques, as well as behavioural studies. Latest developments include the use of EEG recordings, and PET/CT applications. Together, we cover aspects from the systems to the single cell level, and even to single receptors / channels, for disease target identification, drug development and testing within the sector of CNS diseases.
The main projects currently under investigation can be summarised as follows:
1) Alzheimer’s disease and neurodegeneration: causes, biomarkers and treatments.
2) Mechanisms of neuronal plasticity.
3) Therapeutics in CNS disorders.
4) Translational technologies.
Research Areas
Accepting PhDs
I am currently accepting PhDs in Biomedical Sciences.
Please get in touch if you would like to discuss your research ideas further.
Research Specialisms
- Biomedical Sciences
- Neuroscience
- Animal Physiology
- Dementia Studies
Our research specialisms are based on the Higher Education Classification of Subjects (HECoS) which is HESA open data, published under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence.
Current Research
Alzheimer's disease, FTD, dementia, cognition, neurodegeneration, neurotoxicity, neuroprotection, neuronal plasticity, EEG, imaging, Ca signalling, plasticity.
Techniques and Skills:
- Models of dementia: transgenic, pharmacological & viral models in vivo and in vitro (beta amyloid, tau, PS1, BACE; single / double & triple combinations; siRNA).
- Drug discovery
- Translational Technologies
- In vitro electrophysiological recording techniques in brain slices, neuronal cultures, and isolated neurones (patch-clamping and field recordings).
- In vivo electrophysiological recordings (evoked potentials and EEG recordings (wireless).
- In vivo imaging (PET/CT & MRI)
- Behavioural assessments (Cognition & Phenotyper).
- Immunocytochemical and histological techniques, ELISAs, Western Blots.
- Confocal / fluorescent microscopy.
- Time-lapse imaging
- Cell culture, brain slice, cell lines
- Assays for cell death / neuroprotection / viability
Collaborations
1) Within Aberdeen University:
Prof Gernot Riedel (animal models / behaviour); Prof Roger Pertwee (cannabinoids); Prof Matteo Zanda (novel PET ligands); Dr Rod Scott & Prof Marcel Jaspars (natural toxins and cell transfection); Dr Derryck Shewan (neurite outgrowth / time lapse); Prof Andy Welch (PET/CT); Dr Hugh Seton (MRI); Dr Thiel, Dr Schelter & Prof Grebogi (Computer Science & Modelling); Dr Delibegovic & Dr Mody (phosphatases; diabetes and AD)
2) External Collaborators:
Prof Peer Wulff (viral strategies); Prof Jim Austin (University of York): EEG and image analyses, data sharing; Prof. Thanos Salifoglou (University of Crete, Greece): Aluminium speciation and toxicity; Prof. J. Micheau (Univ. Bordeaux II): CREB and hippocampal function, cell transfection, siRNA; Dr. Grazina Niewadomska (Univ. Warsaw, Poland): Tau pathology; Dr K. Bruce (U Penn., USA) and Dr Neel (U Ontario): Phosphatase knock-out mice.
3) Industry-based collaborators
Dr Karsten Wicke (Abbott / AbbVie), B Cruts (BrainMarker, The Netherlands), Dr Hong Wan (Pfizer), J McAvoy (Cybula) and Prof Hugh Marston (Lilly).
- Teaching
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Teaching Responsibilities
Course co-ordinator for AN4002/AN4003 (Brain function & malfunction)
- Publications
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High fat diet-induced deterioration of cognitive deficits in hBACE1 knock-in mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease, reversal by anti-obesity, anti-diabetes compound MN101
British Neuroscience Association FestivalContributions to Conferences: Posters[18F]-Barbiturates as PET-tracers for Alzheimer's disease
245th National Spring Meeting of the American-Chemical-Society (ACS)Contributions to Journals: Abstracts18f-labelled barbiturate compounds for use as positron emission imaging agents
Patents: PatentsBACE1: The missing link between Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes and obesity?
Alzheimer Research UKContributions to Conferences: PostersStore-operated Ca(2+) entry in hippocampal neurons: regulation by protein tyrosine phosphatase PTP1B
Cell Calcium, vol. 53, no. 2, pp. 125-138Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceca.2012.11.004
18F-barbiturates are PET tracers with diagnostic potential in Alzheimer's disease
Chemical Communications, vol. 49, no. 8, pp. 792-794Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/c2cc38443d
Social Transmission of Food Preference in C57BL/6 mice
Measuring BehaviourContributions to Conferences: PostersGeneration and characterization of a novel BACE1 knock-in mouse, PLB4
Alzheimer Research UK (2012)Contributions to Conferences: PostersPlasma and brain pharmacokinetic profile of cannabidiol (CBD), cannabidivarine (CBDV), Δ9-tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) and cannabigerol (CBG) in rats and mice following oral and intraperitoneal administration and CBD action on obsessive–compulsive behaviour
Psychopharmacology, vol. 219, no. 3, pp. 859-873Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-011-2415-0
Inference of Granger causal time-dependent influences in noisy multivariate time series
Journal of Neuroscience Methods, vol. 203, no. 1, pp. 173-185Contributions to Journals: ArticlesA pilot study into the effects of the CB1 cannabinoid receptor agonist, WIN55,212-2 or the antagonist/inverse agonist AM251 on sleep in rats
Sleep Disorders, vol. 2011, 178469Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] http://www.hindawi.com/journals/sd/aip/178469/
- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2011/178469
Cholinomimetic actions of memantine on learning and hippocampal plasticity
Handbook of Animal Models in Alzheimer's Disease, pp. 297-316, 20 pagesChapters in Books, Reports and Conference Proceedings: Chapters- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.3233/978-1-60750-733-8-297
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
Abnormal cognition, sleep, EEG and brain metabolism in a novel knock-in Alzheimer mouse, PLB1
PloS ONE, vol. 6, no. 11, e27068Contributions to Journals: ArticlesAcetylcholine: Future research and perspectives
Behavioural Brain Research, vol. 221, no. 2, pp. 583-586Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbr.2011.01.050
Involvement of the cholinergic system in conditioning and perceptual memory
Behavioural Brain Research, vol. 221, no. 2, pp. 443-465Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbr.2011.01.055
The cholinergic system, EEG and sleep
Behavioural Brain Research, vol. 221, no. 2, pp. 499-504Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbr.2011.01.017
FDG-PET imaging, EEG and sleep phenotypes as translational biomarkers for research in Alzheimer's disease
Biochemical Society Transactions, vol. 39, no. 4, pp. 874-880Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1042/BST0390874
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstream/2164/2281/1/FDG_PET_imaging.pdf
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
The cholinergic system and hippocampal plasticity
Behavioural Brain Research, vol. 221, no. 2, pp. 505-514Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbr.2010.11.037
Genetic differences in anxiety-like behaviour in mice: 5 strain comparison
Scottish Neuroscience Group Meeting (2011)Contributions to Conferences: PostersAcetylcholine has mulitple facets in brain function and disease
Behavioural Brain Research, vol. 221, pp. 333Contributions to Journals: ArticlesCRMP2 hyperphosphorylation is characteristic of Alzheimer's disease and not a feature common to other neurodegenerative diseases
Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 27, no. 3, pp. 615-625Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-2011-110617
Multivariate Analysis of Dynamical Processes with Applications to the Neurosciences
Chapters in Books, Reports and Conference Proceedings: Conference ProceedingsMultivariate Analysis of Dynamical Processes with applications in the Neurosciences
Contributions to Conferences: PapersSusceptibility to diet-induced obesity and glucose intolerance in the APP (SWE)/PSEN1 (A246E) mouse model of Alzheimer's disease is associated with increased brain levels of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) and retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4), and basal phosphorylation of S6 ribosomal protein
Diabetologia, vol. 54, no. 8, pp. 2143-2151Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00125-011-2160-2
The Cholinergic system and spatial learning
Behavioural Brain Research, vol. 221, pp. 389-411Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbr.2010.11.036
Culturing conditions determine neuronal and glial excitability
Journal of Neuroscience Methods, vol. 194, no. 1, pp. 132-138Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneumeth.2010.10.008
EEG, activity, and sleep architecture in a transgenic AβPPSWE/PSEN1A246E Alzheimer's disease mouse
Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 22, no. 3, pp. 873-887Contributions to Journals: ArticlesAluminum does not enhance β-amyloid toxicity in rat hippocampal cultures
Brain Research, vol. 1352, pp. 265-276Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brainres.2010.07.008
Aluminium interferes with hippocampal calcium signaling in a species-specific manner
Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry, vol. 104, no. 9, pp. 919-927Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2010.04.010
WIN55,212-2 induced deficits in spatial learning are mediated by cholinergic hypofunction
Behavioural Brain Research, vol. 208, no. 2, pp. 584-592Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbr.2010.01.004
Bi-directional alterations of LTP after acute homocysteine exposure
Behavioural Brain Research, vol. 205, no. 2, pp. 559-563Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbr.2009.07.010
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
Scopolamine-induced deficits in social memory in mice: Reversal by donepezil
Behavioural Brain Research, vol. 204, no. 1, pp. 217-225Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbr.2009.06.012
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
Sleep and hippocampus: Do we search for the right things?
Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry, vol. 33, no. 5, pp. 806-812Contributions to Journals: Review articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pnpbp.2009.03.027
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
Intracellular Ca2+ stores modulate SOCCs and NMDA receptors via tyrosine kinases in rat hippocampal neurons
Cell Calcium, vol. 46, no. 1, pp. 39-48Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceca.2009.04.001
Synthetic and plant-derived cannabinoid receptor antagonists show hypophagic properties in fasted and non-fasted mice
British Journal of Pharmacology, vol. 156, no. 7, pp. 1154-1166Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1476-5381.2008.00107.x
Cannabidiol targets mitochondria to regulate intracellular Ca2+ levels
Journal of Neuroscience, vol. 29, no. 7, pp. 2053-2063Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.4212-08.2009
The seed extract of Cassia obtusifolia offers neuroprotection to mouse hippocampal cultures
Journal of Pharmacological Sciences, vol. 107, no. 4, pp. 380-392Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1254/jphs.08034FP
Hippocampal endocannabinoids inhibit spatial learning and limit spatial memory in rats
Psychopharmacology, vol. 198, no. 4, pp. 551-563Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-007-1012-8
Synthesis, SAR, and X-ray structure of human BACE-1 inhibitors with cyclic urea derivatives
Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry, vol. 18, no. 9, pp. 2900-2904Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bmcl.2008.03.081
Memantine acts as a cholinergic stimulant in the mouse hippocampus
Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 12, no. 4, pp. 319-333Contributions to Journals: ArticlesDissociation of cholinergic function in spatial and procedural learning in rats
Neuroscience, vol. 146, no. 3, pp. 875-889Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroscience.2007.02.038
Differential toxicity of novel aluminium compounds in hippocampal culture
Neurotoxicology, vol. 28, no. 3, pp. 576-586Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuro.2006.12.008
A comparative study of the actions of alkylpyridinium salts from a marine sponge and related synthetic compounds in rat cultured hippocampal neurones
BMC Pharmacology, vol. 7, 1Contributions to Journals: ArticlesDifferential effects of cannabis extracts and pure plant cannabinoids on hippocampal neurones and glia
Neuroscience Letters, vol. 408, no. 3, pp. 236-241Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neulet.2006.09.008
Experimental approaches to assess metallotoxicity and ageing in models of Alzheimer's disease
Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 10, no. 2-3, pp. 203-213Contributions to Journals: ArticlesCannabidiol-induced intracellular Ca2+ elevations in hippocampal cells
Neuropharmacology, vol. 50, no. 5, pp. 621-631Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropharm.2005.11.008
Long-term homocysteine exposure induces alterations in spatial learning, hippocampal signalling and synaptic plasticity
Experimental Neurology, vol. 197, no. 1, pp. 8-21Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/J.EXPNEUROL.2005.07.003
Enhanced hippocampal long-term potentiation in rats after chronic exposure to homocysteine
Neuroscience Letters, vol. 373, no. 2, pp. 119-124Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neulet.2004.09.072
Cannabinoids: mechanisms and therapeutic applications in the CNS
Current Medicinal Chemistry, vol. 10, no. 24, pp. 1241-1253Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.2174/0929867033456387
Presynaptic group I metabotropic glutamate receptors modulate synaptic transmission in the rat superior colliculus via 4-AP sensitive K(+) channels
British Journal of Pharmacology, vol. 140, no. 8, pp. 1421-1433Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bjp.0705570