Connectivity and gene expression in the brain
Research type
Research Study
Full title
High-throughput mapping of neural circuitry and gene expression in the human brain to elucidate basic neurological mechanisms and the effects of COVID-19 on the central nervous system
IRAS ID
292789
Contact name
Ciaran Hill
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University College London
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Z6364106, UCL data protection
Duration of Study in the UK
6 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
This study aims to apply newly developed high-throughput techniques including optical brain-mapping (connectomics) and gene-expression profiling techniques such as single-cell RNA sequencing and Slide-seq, to develop a more in-depth understanding of the architecture and connectivity of the human brain. We will apply these techniques to understand the architecture of the healthy brain, and to map the distribution of receptors for Coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) in the brain, in order to understand how COVID-19 can enter and damage the central nervous system.
We will consent patients for use of fresh human brain tissue obtained during their brain surgery at The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery. During neurosurgical operations to remove brain lesions such as tumours or developmental anomalies/scarring that cause epilepsy it is often necessary to remove a portion of overlying brain tissue. Most of this important tissue is currently typically discarded but it is an important tool in understanding the brain in heath and disease.
REC name
South Central - Oxford B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/SC/0111
Date of REC Opinion
7 Jul 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion