Farahnaz Yazdanpanah Faragheh
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My research project
Physiological basis linking sleep continuity and age-related cognitive deficits: in vivo manipulation and monitoring of activity of layer 5 neurons in the cortex of mice.This project aims to understand the physiological correlates linking cortical regulation of sleep and age-related cognitive deficits by studying layer 5 neurons in the cortex of mice, known to be important for both sleep propensity and cognition. The research involves a combination of state-of-the-art in vivo calcium imaging (fibre photometry), wireless EEG, chemogenetics manipulation, and behavioural techniques in freely behaving animals, to determine whether the activity of L5 cortical neurons is causally linked to sleep fragmentation and cognitive decline during ageing.
By manipulating and monitoring L5 neuronal activity across young and old mice, the study can reveal if disruptions to sleep continuity with age contribute to impairments in cognitive functions.
Supervisors
This project aims to understand the physiological correlates linking cortical regulation of sleep and age-related cognitive deficits by studying layer 5 neurons in the cortex of mice, known to be important for both sleep propensity and cognition. The research involves a combination of state-of-the-art in vivo calcium imaging (fibre photometry), wireless EEG, chemogenetics manipulation, and behavioural techniques in freely behaving animals, to determine whether the activity of L5 cortical neurons is causally linked to sleep fragmentation and cognitive decline during ageing.
By manipulating and monitoring L5 neuronal activity across young and old mice, the study can reveal if disruptions to sleep continuity with age contribute to impairments in cognitive functions.
University roles and responsibilities
- PIL Representative, Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Body (AWERB)
My qualifications
Thesis: Effects of Social Defeat Following Early Handling on the Spatial Memory and
Morphology of Hippocampal CA1 Pyramidal Neurons in Rats
Supervisor: Jafar Vatanparast
Affiliations and memberships
ResearchResearch interests
- Sleep and Brain Plasticity
- Sleep and Memory Consolidation
- Sleep and Gut Microbiome Interactions
- Effect of Long-Term Sleep Disruption on Sleep Circuits
- Effects of Microgravity and Space Radiation on Sleep Quality and Cognition
Research projects
M.Sc. Thesis: Effects of Social Defeat Following Early Handling on the Spatial Memory and
Morphology of Hippocampal CA1 Pyramidal Neurons in Rats | Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran | 2016-2019
Project: Resistance and vulnerability to stress following early life stress in rodents: neuronal and
molecular mechanisms | INSF-RFBR Joint Research Project, Shiraz University, Iran | 2020-2021
Project: Gender differences in identifying and detecting facial expressions of emotion | Chamran Hospital, Shiraz, Iran | 2018-2019
Research interests
- Sleep and Brain Plasticity
- Sleep and Memory Consolidation
- Sleep and Gut Microbiome Interactions
- Effect of Long-Term Sleep Disruption on Sleep Circuits
- Effects of Microgravity and Space Radiation on Sleep Quality and Cognition
Research projects
M.Sc. Thesis: Effects of Social Defeat Following Early Handling on the Spatial Memory and
Morphology of Hippocampal CA1 Pyramidal Neurons in Rats | Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran | 2016-2019
Project: Resistance and vulnerability to stress following early life stress in rodents: neuronal and
molecular mechanisms | INSF-RFBR Joint Research Project, Shiraz University, Iran | 2020-2021
Project: Gender differences in identifying and detecting facial expressions of emotion | Chamran Hospital, Shiraz, Iran | 2018-2019
Teaching
Zand Institute of Higher Education, Shiraz, Iran (2018)
Teaching Assistant | Physiology Lab
Shiraz University, Iran (2016 -2017)
Teaching Assistant | Department of Biology, Physiology Lab