BrainMap

Mrs. Ana-Maria Zagrean

MD, PhD, Habilitation

Professor - UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE "CAROL DAVILA"

Researcher | Teaching staff | Scientific reviewer

Web of Science ResearcherID: M-5628-2015

Curriculum Vitae (25/04/2021)

Expertise & keywords

Cerebellum as a controller of oscillatory cortical activity from normal to pathological states Call name: Projects for Young Research Teams - RUTE -2014 call
PN-II-RU-TE-2014-4-1354 2015 - 2017

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIV.DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE - CAROL DAVILA

Project partners: UNIV.DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE - CAROL DAVILA (RO)

Affiliation: UNIV.DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE - CAROL DAVILA (RO)

Project website: http://www.fiziologie.ro/cerosco

Abstract:

Synchronies in the motor cortex play a crucial role in motor skills and learning. They can be modulated through upstream activity in the cerebello-cortical network. Yet, the dialog between the cerebral cortex and the cerebellum remains poorly understood.

Our aim is to study the contribution of the cerebellum to brain oscillatory activities, in particular in the case of dystonia, a very disabling motor disease associated with altered sensorimotor coupling. By using optogenetics and in vivo electrophysiology techniques in behaving animal models of dystonia, our project aims at deciphering the mechanisms underlying the alterations of the motor circuits in dystonia, and possibly to develop novel therapeutic methods aimed at correcting these alterations in patients.

We will explore how the cerebellum controls endogenous oscillations in the cortex and examine the functional impact of such control on motor performance. We will analyze the changes in the functional connectivity taking place in the cerebello-cortical pathway and governing the expression of the motor syndrome. Finally, we will complete our study with experiments aimed at correcting the observed alterations, using optogenetic stimulation in a rodent model expressing light-gated ion channels in Purkinje cell.

This project should open new perspectives in the understanding of the physiological and pathophysiological processes taking place in the cerebello-cortical networks.

Cellular Therapeutic Approaches for Regenerative Stroke Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA-2011 call, Type 1
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2011-3.1-0222 2012 - 2016

Role in this project: Partner team leader

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE CRAIOVA

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE CRAIOVA (RO); UNIV.DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE - CAROL DAVILA (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO); UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE " VICTOR BABEŞ " TIMISOARA (RO)

Affiliation: UNIV.DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE - CAROL DAVILA (RO)

Project website: http://www.umfcv.ro/celest

Abstract:

We and others have shown that potential mechanisms for self-repair also operate in the post-ischemic aged brain. The major factors involving the loss of regenerative capacity in the aged brain are an age-related decrease in neurogenesis, and a loss of environmental hostility disturbing regeneration and migration of neuronal precursors toward the ischemic lesion. To date, all monotherapeutic attempts to prevent or lessen brain damage following stroke have failed. In view of our findings that stroke impacts a wide range of systems in an age-dependent manner, from CNS physiology to CNS regeneration and plasticity, the failure of therapies aimed at only a single target system is perhaps inevitable. We hypothesize that a multi-stage, multimodal treatment in aged animals may be more likely to produce positive results. Dysregulation of the inflammatory response in the aged brain thus may be one reason for the severity of the damage as well as the brain’s intractability to neuroprotective therapies in the elderly. Therefore the first step of our multimodal therapeutic strategy is to limit inflammation and achieve neuroprotection during the acute and subacute phase of stroke by whole body cooling. The aged brain is particularly refractant to growth phenomena after injuries. Therefore in the second phase of our therapeutical strategy the major goal is to create a growth-permissive environment by transplatation/administration of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal cells, which are versatile cells and therefore well-suited to achieve our objective. Finally, we hypothesize that exogenously administered neural stem cells (NSCs) into a growth-permissive environment created in the previous steps in aged rats at two weeks after stroke will augment the prospects of histological and behavioral recuperation after stroke. Overall the targets identified will be used to develop new pre-clinical therapeutic strategies aimed at improving recuperation after stroke in the aged subjects.

Quantifying the reactivity of burst-suppression EEG to external stimuli: a novel tool for monitoring the comatose brain Call name: Exploratory Research Projects - PCE-2011 call
PN-II-ID-PCE-2011-3-0847 2011 - 2016

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: Universitatea de Medicină şi Farmacie "Carol Davila"

Project partners: Universitatea de Medicină şi Farmacie "Carol Davila" (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: http://www.comaeeg.ro

Abstract:

Coma is a state of altered consciousness from which a person cannot be awakened. Although sophisticated brain imaging techniques are now clinically accessible they cannot be readily applicable in the intensive care units so that electroenceplahography (EEG) remains the standard monitoring technique of the comatose patient. With increasing depth of coma the EEG progresses from continuous oscillation to “isoelectric line” through a transitional period during which the EEG activity is discontinuous, consisting of “bursts” of large amplitude oscillations on a “suppressed” electrical background referred to as the burst-suppression pattern (BS). Current methods relating EEG to the depth of coma that rely on statistic quantification of "spontaneous" BS are unsatisfactory. The main objective of our project is to explore the novel approach that the responsiveness of BS to external stimulation (BS reactivity) is more likely to reflect the cortical network dysfunction during coma. Specifically, we aim to explore using clinically applicable neurophysiological methods in rodents: (1) the reactive anesthetic BS behavior to various external stimuli; (2) to which extent BS reactivity of post-ischemic BS can be used to predict the outcome following cerebral ischemic injury and (3) whether the anticonvulsive effect of induced BS coma can be optimized based on BS reactivity. The clinical translation of the BS quantification developed in our study will be will be validated on human data.

Coma EEG Reactivity Monitor Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA-2011 call, Type 2
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2011-3.2-1290 2012 - 2016

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: TERMOBIT PROD SRL

Project partners: TERMOBIT PROD SRL (RO); UNIV.DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE - CAROL DAVILA (RO); SPITALUL CLINIC DE URGENTA " BAGDASAR-ARSENI " (RO); SPITALUL UNIVERSITAR DE URGENTA BUCURESTI (RO)

Affiliation: UNIV.DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE - CAROL DAVILA (RO)

Project website: http://www.comaeeg.ro

Abstract:

Coma is a state of suppressed consciousness in which a person fails to react normally at external stimuli and does not initiate voluntary actions. With deepening of coma, the electroencephalographic cerebral activity (EEG) progresses from continuous oscillations to “isoelectric line” through a transitional discontinuous period consisting of “bursts” of large amplitude oscillations (lasting typically a couple of seconds) on a “suppressed” electrical background of increasing duration referred to as the burst-suppression pattern (BS).

Considering the emerging concept that all bursts are in fact triggered by competing internal and external stimuli largely unpredictable, it is unlilkely that an optimal index for cortical function monitoring during BS-coma can be derived by analyzing the statistical properties of “spontaneous” BS. Our novel hypothesis is that the changes in bursting rate during controlled external stimulation (BS reactivity) will better reflect the degree of cortical network dysfunction during BS coma than the “spontaneous” bursting rate.

The primary objective of this proposal is to design a “Coma EEG reactivity Monitor” (CERMO), suitable for clinical use, with particular emphasis on BS-coma. Our work plan includes: 1) hardware design combining an EEG signal processor with a programmable stimulus generator capable of applying visual, transcranial (direct current), magnetic and peripheral nerve stimulation to drive BS patterns with software designed for BS monitoring based on retrospective animal and clinical EEG recordings; 2) optimization and testing on prospective BS recordings in rats 3) a multi-centric clinical trial comparing the prognostic value of triggered versus „spontanous” BS patterns using our device and 4) certification.

To the best of our knowledge, there are no other commercially available devices designed specifically to monitor EEG/BS reactivity. We expect that CERMO will become a valuable tool to help predict the outcome of severe coma.

Molecular, cellular and integrative mechanisms of pain - clinical implications Call name:
CEEX nr. 31/2005 2005 - 2008

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: SPITALUL UNIVERSITAR DE URGENTA BUCURESTI

Project partners: SPITALUL UNIVERSITAR DE URGENTA BUCURESTI (); UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE "CAROL DAVILA" (); UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI ()

Affiliation: SPITALUL UNIVERSITAR DE URGENTA BUCURESTI ()

Project website:

Abstract:

Post-ischemic cortical hyperexcitability: an in vivo study in rat Call name:
Viasan nr. 453/2004 2004 - 2007

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE "CAROL DAVILA"

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE "CAROL DAVILA" ()

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE "CAROL DAVILA" ()

Project website:

Abstract:

Study of physiological and behavioral mechanisms involved in mood disorders - nonapeptides involvement. Call name:
CNCSIS 1200A/2006 2006 - 2007

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE "CAROL DAVILA"

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE "CAROL DAVILA" ()

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE "CAROL DAVILA" ()

Project website:

Abstract:

Study of serotoninergic circuits originating in the raphe nuclei on behavior and sleep. Neuropharmacological interactions with nicotine Call name:
Viasan 454/2004 2004 - 2007

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE "CAROL DAVILA"

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE "CAROL DAVILA" ()

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE "CAROL DAVILA" ()

Project website:

Abstract:

Molecular and cellular mechanisms of ischemic cerebral preconditioning Call name:
Viasan nr. 158/2001 2001 - 2003

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE "CAROL DAVILA"

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE "CAROL DAVILA" ()

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE "CAROL DAVILA" ()

Project website:

Abstract:

Call name: Burse Tineri
PN-II-RU-BT-2013-0005 2013 -

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIV.DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE - CAROL DAVILA

Project partners: UNIV.DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE - CAROL DAVILA (RO)

Affiliation: UNIV.DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE - CAROL DAVILA (RO)

Project website:

Abstract:

FILE DESCRIPTION	DOCUMENT
List of research grants as project coordinator or partner team leader
Significant R&D projects for enterprises, as project manager
R&D activities in enterprises
Peer-review activity for international programs/projects