Research in the Ashby lab investigates plasticity of the brain, focussing on early life development of synaptic and neuronal circuit function and on how abnormal synaptic biology contributes to neurodegenerative disease.
Using cutting edge fluorescence imaging and photostimulation approaches in mouse and human brain slices and in vivo in mouse models, we have contributed to understanding of emerging synapses in the developing brain and how synaptic turnover shapes ongoing changes in neuronal connectivity. Specific examples include using 2-photon calcium imaging in mouse brain slices to show novel modes of dendritic signalling during synaptic plasticity and in vivo imaging of disruptions to structural synaptic plasticity and neuronal activity in mouse models of neurodegenerative tauopathy.