OUR STORY

Our brain cells communicate with one another by a process known as synaptic transmission, which forms the basis of our thoughts and perception. In human patients with epilepsy, aberrant synaptic transmission contributes to seizures. Dr. Campbell’s current research is aimed at understanding mechanisms by which altered synaptic communication leads to the development of epilepsy in the adult and pediatric brain. One goal is to identify unconventional biomarkers that may serve as therapeutic targets to treat refractory epilepsy. An accumulating body of research implicates the involvement of the gut microbiome in the development of various neurological diseases including epilepsy. Dr. Campbell studies the role of the gut microbiota in modulating synaptic transmission and seizure susceptibility in various epilepsy models. The lab is also interested in studying the interaction between anti-epileptic drugs and the gut microbiota in the treatment of epilepsy.  Ultimately, the goal is to identify the mechanisms by which gut microbes affect neuronal and glia cell function and modulate seizure activity, and then develop deliberate manipulation of the gut microbiota as a therapeutic strategy to ameliorate seizure activity.  The Campbell Lab utilizes a variety of methodologies including electrophysiological techniques to probe changes in the function of neuronal circuits, EEG recordings, modern molecular approaches and 16S rRNA sequencing.

Projects in the lab aim to: 1) determine how changes in the gut microbiota influences the function of neuron and glia cells to shape synaptic function in different neuronal circuits in normal and epilepsy models, 2) examine how specific diets affects the composition of the gut microbiota and regulate neuronal function and seizure threshold, 3) decipher how bacteria derived molecules can regulate neuronal function to shape neuronal hyperexcitability, 4) determine how differences in the quantity and diversity of microbes affect seizure susceptibility, 5) evaluate the interaction between anti-epileptic drugs and the gut microbiota in the treatment of epilepsy and 6) identify divergent glioma-induced mechanisms in seizure development in pediatric and adult neural circuits.