Staff Profile

Roles and Responsibilities

Member of the Faculty of Medical Sciences Impact Case Committee

Qualifications

BSc Physiology (1^st class) Sheffield University

PhD Neuroscience (Newcastle University)

Previous Positions

Post-doctoral Fellow, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD.

Non-Clinical Scientist MRC Anatomical Neuropharmacology Unit, Oxford, UK.

Senior Post-doctoral Research Fellow, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, UK.

Membership

British Neuroscience Association

The Physiological Society

Society for Neuroscience

Research Interests

My main interests are in understanding the mechanisms involved in the generation of cortical network activity.  In particularly we are keen to understand the role of different types of network oscillations e.g. theta (4-12 Hz) and gamma (30-80 Hz) frequency oscillations in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. These oscillations are important for many higher cognitive functions including learning, memory and attention. In the lab we also focus on understanding changes in network oscillations in diseases such as dementia, schizophrenia and epilepsy.

Other Expertise

In my lab we use a combination of in vitro electrophysiological and in vivo approaches in rodents to study cortical network oscillations and their modulation by monoamine neurotransmitter systems.  We are also involved in a large multi-group project using EEG recordings and optogenetics to record and manipulate the abnormal cortical activity occurring in epilepsy. I have close collaborations with many other researchers within the Biosciences Institute and the Institute of Clinical and Translational Research including Dr. David Young, Professor John Paul Taylor and Professor Fiona Oakley.

Current Work

We are currently working on a number of projects elucidating the role of network oscillations in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Changes in these key brain areas are implicated in many diseases such as schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, and dementia with Lewy bodies and epilepsy.

We are also now using both acute and cultured human brain slice preparations to investigate changes in neuronal circuits and function in relation to epilepsy and neurodegeneration.

Current lab members

Ms. Beth Dennis - Staff PhD with Neurexpert

Dr. David Koss- Post doctoral fellow -  Takeda funded project.

Mr. Mark Turnbull - PhD student CANDO project.

Mr. Ashan Jayasakera - Epilepsy Research UK funded clinical staff PhD student.

Mrs. Ibtisam Al Musawi - PhD student.

Ms. Anastasia Dimitriou - PhD student.

Ms. Lauren O'Neill - Alzheimer's Society funded PhD student.

Past Lab members

Joanne Driver, Daniel C Haggerty, Bernadette O'Donovan, Dorcas C Eden, Claire Gillougley, Natalie Adams, Vasilis Glykos, Sabine Gretenkord, Clare Tweedy, Myrto Stylianou, Tamara Modebadze.

Past Funding

Royal Society Research Grant; Newcastle University Studentship; Lena Teague Bequest Fund; BBSRC equipment grant; EPSRC studentship; BBSRC/CASE studentship; Wellcome Trust studentship; MRC Case studentship; Alzheimer's Society studentship;  UK Innovate Grant. Co-I on CANDO (Wellcome Trust project).

Present Funding

Principal Investigator - Neurexpert contract. 

Principal Investigator - Takeda funded project.

Principal Investigator - Alzheimer's Society PhD Studentship Award.

Co-Investigator - MRC Post-mortem and Living brain tissue grant.

I teach on the Pharmacology BSc course, 2nd and 3rd year Biomedical science neuroscience BSc modules and the Mres in Neuroscience.

I regularly supervise undergraduate and postgraduate laboratory projects.

• Zaaimi B, Turnbull M, Hazra A, Wang Y, Gandara C, McLeod F, McDermott EE, Escobedo-Cousin E, Shah Idil A, Bailey RG, Tardio S, Patel A, Ponon N, Walsh D, Hutchings F, Kaiser M, Cunningham MO, Clowry GJ, LeBeau FEN, Constandinou TG, Baker SN, Donaldson N, Degenaar P, O'Neill A, Trevelyan AJ, Jackson A. Closed-loop optogenetic control of normal and pathological network dynamics. Nature Biomedical Engineering 2022, (ePub ahead of Print).
• Firfilionis D, Hutchings F, Tamadoni R, Walsh D, Turnbull M, Escobedo-Cousin E, Bailey RG, Gausden J, Patel A, Haci D, Liu Y, LeBeau FEN, Trevelyan A, Constandinou TG, O'Neill A, Kaiser M, Degenaar P, Jackson A. A Closed-Loop Optogenetic Platform. Frontiers in Neuroscience 2021, 15, 718311.
• Tweedy C, Kindred N, Curry J, Williams C, Taylor J-P, Atkinson P, Randall F, Erskine D, Morris CM, Reeve AK, Clowry GJ, LeBeau FEN. Hippocampal network hyperexcitability in young transgenic mice expressing human mutant alpha-synuclein. Neurobiology of Disease 2021, 149, 105226.
• Hayman DJ, Modebadze T, Charlton S, Cheung K, Soul J, Lin H, Hao Y, Miles CG, Tsompani D, Jackson RM, Briggs MD, Piróg KA, Clark IM, Barter MJ, Clowry GJ, LeBeau FEN, Young DA. Increased hippocampal excitability in miR-324-null mice. Scientific Reports 2021, 11(1), 10452.
• Fielder E, Tweedy C, Wilson C, Oakley F, LeBeau FEN, Passos JF, Mann DA, von Zglinicki T, Jurk D. Anti-inflammatory treatment rescues memory deficits during aging in nfkb1−/− mice. Aging Cell 2020, 19(10), e13188.
• Stylianou M, Zaaimi B, Thomas A, Taylor J-P, LeBeau FEN. Early Disruption of Cortical Sleep-Related Oscillations in a Mouse Model of Dementia With Lewy Bodies (DLB) Expressing Human Mutant (A30P) Alpha-Synuclein. Frontiers in Neuroscience 2020, 14, 579867.
• Gretenkord S, Olthof BMJ, Stylianou M, Rees A, Gartside SE, LeBeau FEN. Electrical stimulation of the ventral tegmental area (VTA) evokes sleep-like state transitions under urethane anaesthesia in the rat medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) via dopamine D₁-like receptors. European Journal of Neuroscience 2020, 52(2), 2915-2930.
• Law ZK, Todd C, Mehraram R, Schumacher J, Baker MR, LeBeau FEN, Yarnall A, Onofrj M, Bonanni L, Thomas A, Taylor J-P. The role of EEG in the diagnosis, prognosis and clinical correlations of Dementia with Lewy Bodies—a systematic review. Diagnostics 2020, 10(9), 616.
• Babiloni C, Blinowska K, Bonanni L, Cichocki A, De Haan W, Del Percio C, Dubois B, Escudero J, Fernandez A, Frisoni G, Guntekin B, Hajos M, Hampel H, Ifeachor E, Kilborn K, Kumar S, Johnsen K, Johannsson M, Jeong J, LeBeau F, Lizio R, Lopes da Silva F, Maestu F, McGeown WJ, McKeith I, Moretti DV, Nobili F, Olichney J, Onofrj M, Palop JJ, Rowan M, Stocchi F, Struzik ZM, Tanila H, Teipel S, Taylor JP, Weiergraber M, Yener G, Young-Pearse T, Drinkenburg WH, Randall F. What electrophysiology tells us about Alzheimer's disease: a window into the synchronization and connectivity of brain neurons. Neurobiology of Aging 2020, 85, 58-73.
• Keane PC, Hanson PS, Patterson L, Blain PG, Hepplewhite P, Khundakar AA, Judge SJ, Kahle PJ, LeBeau FEN, Morris CM. Trichloroethylene and its metabolite TaClo lead to degeneration of substantia nigra dopaminergic neurones: Effects in wild type and human A30P mutant α-synuclein mice . Neuroscience Letters 2019, 711, 134437.
• Robson E, Tweedy C, Manzanza N, Taylor J-P, Atkinson P, Randall F, Reeve A, Clowry GJ, LeBeau FEN. Impaired Fast Network Oscillations and Mitochondrial Dysfunction in a Mouse Model of Alpha-synucleinopathy (A30P). Neuroscience 2018, 377, 161-173.
• Stylianou M, Murphy N, Peraza LR, Graziadio S, Cromarty R, Killen A, O'Brien JT, Thomas AJ, LeBeau FEN, Taylor J-P. Quantitative electroencephalography as a marker of cognitive fluctuations in dementia with Lewy bodies and aid to differential diagnosis. Clinical Neurophysiology 2018, 129(6), 1209-1220.
• Gretenkord S, Rees A, Whittington MA, Gartside SE, Lebeau FEN. Dorsal vs. ventral differences in fast Up-state-associated oscillations in the medial prefrontal cortex of the urethane-anesthetized rat. Journal of Neurophysiology 2017, 117(3), 1126-1142.
• Adams NE, Sherfey JS, Kopell NJ, Whittington MA, LeBeau FEN. Hetereogeneity in Neuronal Intrinsic Properties: A Possible Mechanism for Hub-Like Properties of the Rat Anterior Cingulate Cortex during Network Activity. eNeuro 2017, 4(1).
• Taylor J-P, Collerton D, LeBeau F, Perry E. Cholinergic pathology in dementia with Lewy bodies. In: Kosaka K, ed. Dementia with Lewy Bodies: Clinical and Biological Aspects. Tokyo: Springer Japan, 2016, pp.23-39.
• Glykos V, Whittington MA, LeBeau FEN. Subregional differences in the generation of fast network oscillations in the rat medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in vitro. The Journal of Physiology 2015, 593(16), 3597-3615.
• Gillougley C, Rentesi G, LeBeau F, Cunningham M, Alvaro G, Large C. Divergent actions of a Kv3 positive modulator on gamma frequency oscillations in the mammalian neocortex in vitro. In: 27th ECNP Congress. 2014, London: Elsevier BV.
• Haggerty DC, Glykos V, Adams NE, LeBeau FE. Bidirectional modulation of hippocampal gamma (20–80 Hz) frequency activity in vitro via alpha(α)- and beta(β)-adrenergic receptors (AR). Neuroscience 2013, 253, 142-154.
• LeBeau FEN. Cortical network oscillations in Alzheimer's disease: insights from rodent models. Drug Discovery Today: Therapeutic Strategies 2013, 10(2), e79-e83.
• Börgers C, Talei Franzesi G, LeBeau FEN, Boyden S, Kopell NJ. Minimal size of cell assemblies coordinated by gamma oscillations. PLoS Computational Biology 2012, 8(2), e1002362.
• Whittington MA, Cunningham MO, LeBeau FE, Racca C, Traub RD. Multiple origins of the cortical gamma rhythm. Developmental Neurobiology 2011, 71(1), 92-106.
• Bernstein HG, Johnson M, Perry RH, LeBeau FEN, Dobrowolny H, Bogerts B, Perry EK. Partial loss of parvalbumin-containing hippocampal interneurons in dementia with Lewy bodies. Neuropathology 2011, 31(1), 1-10.
• Roopun AK, LeBeau FEN, Rammell J, Cunningham MO, Traub RD, Whittington MA. Cholinergic neuromodulation controls directed temporal communication in neocortex in vitro. Frontiers in Neural Circuits 2010, 4(1), 8.
• Cox DJ, Racca C, LeBeau FEN. β-adrenergic receptors are differentially expressed in distinct interneuron subtypes in the rat hippocampus. Journal of Comparative Neurology 2008, 509(6), 551-565.
• Bibbig A, Middleton S, Racca C, Gillies MJ, Garner H, Le Beau FEN, Davies CH, Whittington MA. Beta rhythms (15-20 Hz) generated by nonreciprocal communication in hippocampus. Journal of Neurophysiology 2007, 97(4), 2812-2823.
• Driver JE, Racca C, Cunningham MO, Towers SK, Davies CH, Whittington MA, Le Beau FEN. Impairment of hippocampal gamma (γ)-frequency oscillations in vitro in mice overexpressing human amyloid precursor protein (APP). European Journal of Neuroscience 2007, 26(5), 1280-1288.
• Fuchs EC, Zivkovic AR, Cunningham MO, Middleton S, Le Beau FEN, Bannerman DM, Rozov A, Whittington MA, Traub RD, Rawlins JNP, Monyer H. Recruitment of Parvalbumin-Positive Interneurons Determines Hippocampal Function and Associated Behavior. Neuron 2007, 53(4), 591-604.
• Roopun AK, Middleton SJ, Cunningham MO, Le Beau FEN, Bibbig A, Whittington MA, Traub RD. A beta2-frequency (20-30 Hz) oscillation in nonsynaptic networks of somatosensory cortex. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 2006, 103(42), 15646-15650.
• Cunningham MO, Hunt J, Middleton S, Le Beau FEN, Gillies MG, Davies CH, Maycox PR, Whittington MA, Racca C. Region-specific reduction in entorhinal gamma oscillations and parvalbumin-immunoreactive neurons in animal models of psychiatric illness. Journal of Neuroscience 2006, 26(10), 2767-2776.
• Grillner S, Markram H, De Schutter E, Silberberg G, Le Beau FEN. Microcircuits in action - From CPGs to neocortex. Trends in Neurosciences 2005, 28(10), 525-533.
• Traub RD, Bibbig A, Le Beau FE, Cunningham MO, Whittington MA. Persistent gamma oscillations in superficial layers of rat auditory neocortex: experiment and model. Journal of Physiology 2005, 562(1), 3-8.
• Traub RD, Contreras D, Cunningham MO, Murray H, Le Beau FEN, Roopun A, Bibbig A, Wilent WB, Higley MJ, Whittington MA. Single-Column Thalamocortical Network Model Exhibiting Gamma Oscillations, Sleep Spindles, and Epileptogenic Bursts. Journal of Neurophysiology 2005, 93(4), 2194-2232.
• Silberberg G, Grillner S, Le Beau FEN, Maex R, Markram H. Synaptic pathways in neural microcircuits. Trends in Neurosciences 2005, 28(10), 541-551.
• Traub RD, Pais I, Bibbig A, Lebeau FE, Buhl EH, Garner H, Monyer H, Whittington MA. Transient Depression of Excitatory Synapses on Interneurons Contributes to Epileptiform Bursts During Gamma Oscillations in the Mouse Hippocampal Slice. Journal of Neurophysiology 2005, 94(2), 1225-1235.
• Le Beau FEN, El Manira A, Griller S. Tuning the network: Modulation of neuronal microcircuits in the spinal cord and hippocampus. Trends in Neurosciences 2005, 28(10), 552-561.
• Cunningham MO, Whittington MA, Bibbig A, Roopun A, Le Beau FE, Vogt A, Monyer H, Buhl EH, Traub RD. A role for fast rhythmic bursting neurons in cortical gamma oscillations in vitro. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 2004, 101(18), 7152-7157.
• Traub RD, Bibbig A, Le Beau FE, Buhl EH, Whittington MA. Cellular mechanisms of neuronal population oscillations in the hippocampus in vitro. Annu. Rev. Neurosci 2004, 27(1), 247-278.
• Traub RD, Pais I, Bibbig A, LeBeau FEN, Buhl EH, Hormizdi S, Monyer H, Whittington MA. Contrasting roles of axonal (pyramidal cell) and dendritic (interneuron) electrical coupling in the generation of neuronal network oscillations. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 2003, 100(3), 1370-1374.
• Traub RD, Cunningham MO, Gloveli T, LeBeau FE, Bibbig A, Buhl EH, Whittington MA. GABA-enhanced collective behavior in neuronal axons underlies persistent gamma-frequency oscillations. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 2003, 100(19), 11047-11052.
• Pais I, Hormuzdi SG, Monyer H, Traub RD, Wood IC, Buhl EH, Whittington MA, LeBeau FE. Sharp Wave-Like Activity in the Hippocampus In Vitro in Mice Lacking the Gap Junction Protein Connexin 36. Journal of Neurophysiology 2003, 89(4), 2046-2054.
• LeBeau FEN, Traub RD, Monyer H, Whittington MA, Buhl EH. The role of electrical signalling via gap junctions in the generation of fast network oscillations. Brain Research Bulletin 2003, 62(1), 3-13.
• Gillies MJ, Traub RD, LeBeau FEN, Davies CH, Gloveli T, Buhl EH, Whittington MA. A model of atropine-resistant theta oscillations in rat hippocampal area CA1. Journal of Physiology 2002, 543(3), 779-793.
• Towers SK, LeBeau FEN, Gloveli T, Traub RD, Whittington MA, Buhl EH. Fast network oscillations in the rat dentate gyrus in vitro. Journal of Neurophysiology 2002, 87(2), 1165-1168.
• LeBeau FE, Towers SK, Traub RD, Whittington MA, Buhl EH. Fast network oscillations induced by potassium transients in the rat hippocampus in vitro. Journal of Physiology 2002, 542(1), 167-179.
• LeBeau FEN, Towers SK, Traub RD, Whittington MA, Buhl EH. Fast network oscillations induced by potassium transients in the rat hippocampus in vitro. Journal of Physiology 2002, 542(1), 167-179.
• Traub RD, Whittington MA, Buhl EH, LeBeau FEN, Bibbig A, Boyd S, Cross H, Baldeweg T. A possible role for gap junctions in generation of very fast EEG oscillations preceding the onset of, and perhaps initiating, seizures. Epilepsia 2001, 42(2), 153-170.
• Whittington MA, Doheny HC, Traub RD, LeBeau FEN, Buhl EH. Differential expression of synaptic and non-synaptic mechanisms underlying stimulus-induced gamma oscillations in vitro. The Journal of Neuroscience 2001, 21(5), 1727-1738.
• Traub RD, Kopell N, Bibbig A, Buhl EH, LeBeau FEN, Whittington MA. Gap junctions between interneuron dendrites can enhance synchrony of gamma oscillations in distributed networks. Journal of Neuroscience 2001, 21(23), 9478-9486.
• Hormuzdi SG, Pais I, LeBeau FEN, Towers SK, Rozov A, Buhl EH, Whittington MA, Monyer H. Impaired Electrical Signaling Disrupts Gamma Frequency Oscillations in Connexin 36-Deficient Mice. Neuron 2001, 31(3), 487-495.
• LeBeau FEN, Malmierca MS, Rees A. Iontophoresis in vivo demonstrates a key role for GABAA and glycinergic inhibition in shaping frequency response areas in the inferior colliculus of guinea pig. The Journal of Neuroscience 2001, 15, 7303-7312.
• LeBeau FEN, Malmierca MS, Rees A. Iontophoretic studies in the inferior colliculus in vivo demonstrate a key role for GABA and glycine receptor mediated inhibition in shaping frequency response areas. Journal of Neuroscience 2001, 21(18), 7303-7312.