Our group is interested in developmental neurotoxicology, with special reference to the issue of silent toxicity and long-term consequences induced by adverse environmental factors acting at different stages of neurodevelopment. In recent years there has been increasing concern about the possibility that neurodevelopmental dysfunctions may be associated with early neurotoxcity. We have directed our efforts toward the implementation of an experimental strategy that includes in vivo and in vitro models and applies methods stretching from behavioral to single cell analyses. We have introduced the observation of home cage behaviour in mice as a key component of developmental neurotoxicity testing. In addition, we have recently started to work with Zebrafish as a simpler animal model to address in more detail specific mechanistic questions as well as heritable effects.  A major part of our work focuses on neural stem cell alterations induced by neurotoxic stimuli, including exposure to excess glucocorticoids, oxidative stress, as well as very low levels of   heavy metals and endocrine disruptors.  A central aim is to clarify the role that epigenetic modifications may play in the long-lasting behavioural and cellular changes observed as consequences of mild developmental neurotoxicity.

Sandra Ceccatelli
sandra.ceccatelli@ki.se
Tel: +46-8-52487586
Fax: +46-8-329041

We are located in the Retzius laboratory, Retzius väg 8 (Neuroscience) at the Karolinska Institutet Solna Campus (http://www.kartguiden.com/mappage.asp?MapID=1024)