John J. LaFrancois

Chemogenetic activation of hippocampal area CA2 promotes acute and chronic seizures in a mouse model of epilepsy

This paper shows that chemogenetic activation of hippocampal CA2 neurons increases seizure frequency and duration in a mouse model of epilepsy.

Field EPSPs of dentate gyrus granule cells studied by selective optogenetic activation of hilar mossy cells in hippocampal slices.

The paper describes a method to selectively activate mossy cells (MCs) in hippocampal slices using optogenetics and shows that MC input to granule cells (GCs) is weak but widespread.

Increasing adult-born neurons protects mice from epilepsy.

This study shows that increasing adult-born neurons in mice reduces chronic seizures and neuronal loss after status epilepticus, with a notable sex difference.

Choline supplementation in early life improves and low levels of choline can impair outcomes in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.

This study shows that high choline diets in early life improve cognitive and neuronal outcomes in a mouse model of Alzheimer's, while low choline diets have mixed adverse effects.

Hippocampal area CA2 controls seizure dynamics, interictal EEG abnormalities and social comorbidity in mouse models of temporal lobe epilepsy

This study shows that real-time optogenetic silencing of hippocampal CA2 neurons reduces seizures, interictal EEG abnormalities, and social comorbidities in mouse models of temporal lobe epilepsy.

Enhanced excitability of the hippocampal CA2 region and its contribution to seizure generation in a mouse model of temporal lobe epilepsy

This study investigates the role of hippocampal CA2 region in seizure generation in a mouse model of temporal lobe epilepsy, finding that enhanced excitability and reduced inhibition in CA2 contribute to seizure activity.

Bidirectional regulation of cognitive and anxiety-like behaviors by dentate gyrus mossy cells in male and female mice

This study shows that mossy cells in the dentate gyrus bidirectionally regulate cognitive and anxiety-like behaviors in mice, with sex-specific effects.