Electrophysiological, biochemical and cellular biology methods in brain slices and cultured neurons are used in brain areas related to learning, memory and reward. The research goal is to understand the cellular and molecular processes underlying a normal form of synaptic plasticity: maturation and to discover the synaptic rearrangements responsible for a pathological form of plasticity: drug addiction. Olivier Manzoni has joined the INB with an INSERM Avenir program from the INSERM in June 2002.

Mato, S., V. Chevaleyre, D. Robbe, A. Pazos, P.E. Castillo, and O.J. Manzoni (2004):A single in-vivo exposure to delta 9THC blocks endocannabinoid-mediated synaptic plasticity..Nat Neurosci:585-6