Dr Shuzo Sakata

Reader

Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences

Contact

Personal statement

Mission
The goal of our research team is to understand (1) how brain state is organized at the level of neural circuits, (2) how brain state affects brain functions, (3) how brain state is regulated, and (4) whether and how manipulation of brain state can modify disease pathology.

Strategy
Out strategies are (1) to study normal information processing, (2) to study abnormal information processing, and (3) to develop tools to modulate brain functions. Our main techniques are in vivo ensemble recording, Ca2+ imaging, optogenetics, and behavioural approaches. 

 

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Publications

Site‐specific inhibition of the thalamic reticular nucleus induces distinct modulations in sleep architecture
Visocky Vladimir, Morris Brian J, Dunlop John, Brandon Nick, Sakata Shuzo, Pratt Judith A
European Journal of Neuroscience Vol 59, pp. 554-569 (2024)
https://doi.org/10.1111/ejn.15908
SaLSa : a combinatory approach of semi-automatic labeling and long short-term memory to classify behavioral syllables
Sakata Shuzo
eNeuro Vol 10, pp. 1-10 (2023)
https://doi.org/10.1523/ENEURO.0201-23.2023
Fiber photometry-based investigation of brain function and dysfunction
Byron Nicole, Sakata Shuzo
Neurophotonics Vol 11 (2023)
https://doi.org/10.1117/1.NPh.11.S1.S11502
Pontine waves accompanied by short hippocampal sharp wave-ripples during non-rapid eye movement sleep : P-waves during NREM and REM sleep
Tsunematsu Tomomi, Matsumoto Sumire, Merkler Mirna, Sakata Shuzo
SLEEP Vol 46 (2023)
https://doi.org/10.1093/sleep/zsad193
Experimentally unsupervised deconvolution for light-sheet microscopy with propagation-invariant beams
Wijesinghe Philip, Corsetti Stella, Chow Darren J X, Sakata Shuzo, Dunning Kylie R, Dholakia Kishan
Light: Science & Applications Vol 11 (2022)
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41377-022-00975-6
Use of sedative-hypnotic medications and risk of dementia : a systematic review and meta-analysis
AlDawsari Asma, Bushell Trevor J, Abutheraa Nouf, Sakata Shuzo, Al Hussain Sarah, Kurdi Amanj
British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology Vol 88, pp. 1567-1589 (2022)
https://doi.org/10.1111/bcp.15113

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Research Interests

Research Projects
1. State-dependent auditory processing and perception
When we are paying attention to sound, we can vividly perceive it. When sleep, however, our perception is siginificantly diminished. But what is happening in the brain? Because our brain activity ('brain state') continuously changes, it is extremely important to address the following three questions: 1) how is each brain state organized at the level of neural circuit? 2) how do brain states affect sensory processing and perceptual decision? and 3) how are brain states regulated? We are addressing these questions by taking multidisciplinary approaches, with a focus on dynamic interplays between the auditory system and neuromodulatory systems.

2. The circuit mechanism of abnormal hearing
Brain circuits often generate auditory perception even in the absence of auditory inputs, such as auditory hallucinations. But how? We are particularly focusing on phantom auditory perception, so-called tinnitus. Tinnitus is a symptom, which is often associated with hearing loss. Considering aging society and age-related hearing loss, a better understanding of the neural basis of tinnitus is extremly urgent. We are aiming to identify neural correlates of tinnitus at the level of neuronal circuits. By using a massively parallel extracellular recording technique and a behavioural approach, we are determining relationships between tinnitus and abnormal neural population activity in the auditory thalamocortical circuit. This research program will provide further insight into the development of new treatment for tinnitus sufferers.

3. Technology development to improve and restore hearing
Once we understand both normal and abnormal states, a next step is to explore strategies to restore abnormal states into the normal one. In addition, we can also think of how we can boost our normal brain functions. To achieve these goals, we are developing new approaches and technologies. We are particularly interested in the improvement and restoration of sensory abilities by controlling neural activity. Combining advanced technologies in rodents as a model, we are developing novel strategies to improve and restore hearing.

***Our research team is currently accepting applications from prospective PhD students and postdocs. In particular, persons who have strong background in physics, mathematics, or engineering are strongly encouraged to apply. ***

 

Professional Activities

Brain-wide neural and astrocytic ensembles across sleep-wake cycles
Speaker
25/8/2023
Pontine waves across sleep states
Speaker
12/5/2023
Fiber photometry-based investigation of brain function and dysfunction
Speaker
25/10/2022
Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience (Journal)
Peer reviewer
2022
Optical interrogation of Alzheimer's disease pathology
Speaker
13/5/2021
Frontiers in Neuroscience (Journal)
Peer reviewer
2021

More professional activities

Projects

Fraunhofer UK Research Limited: Studentship Agreement | Vladimirova, Vanesa
Mathieson, Keith (Principal Investigator) Sakata, Shuzo (Co-investigator) Vladimirova, Vanesa (Research Co-investigator)
01-Oct-2024 - 01-Apr-2028
Dysregulaton of Microglial Calcium Dynamics by Amyloid Pathology and Sleep Disruption
Sakata, Shuzo (Principal Investigator)
01-Mar-2024 - 31-Aug-2025
Sleep state-dependent functions of pontine waves
Sakata, Shuzo (Principal Investigator)
01-Dec-2023 - 30-Nov-2026
Biosemi electroencephalography (EEG) amplifier
McGeown, William (Principal Investigator) Parra Rodriguez, Mario (Co-investigator) Sakata, Shuzo (Co-investigator)
01-May-2023 - 30-Jun-2024
Deep brain technologies to understand the cellular origin of diseases DEEPER | Abbot, James
Mathieson, Keith (Principal Investigator) Sakata, Shuzo (Co-investigator) Abbot, James (Research Co-investigator)
01-Oct-2022 - 01-Jun-2026
Depression-like behaviour in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease: a reverse translational study.
Bushell, Trevor (Principal Investigator) Sakata, Shuzo (Co-investigator)
01-Oct-2022 - 30-Sep-2025

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Contact

Dr Shuzo Sakata
Reader
Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences

Email: shuzo.sakata@strath.ac.uk
Tel: 548 2156