Michael Kreutz is Head of the Neuroplasticity Research Group at the Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology in Magdeburg Germany. Using powerful high resolution microscopy and molecular biology tools his laboratory has shown that autophagy occurs within synapses. Synaptic autophagy is stimulated by neural network activity and is critical for their maintenance and for learning and memory. Moreover, evidence suggests that conventional autophagy and exocytic autophagy prevent the abnormal accumulation of pathogenic proteins (Tau, TDP43, etc.) in neurodegenerative disorders. Pharmacological and lifestyle interventions that bolster synaptic autophagy may promote brain health and disease resistance.

LINKS

Kreutz Laboratory: https://www.kreutzlab.com/

Review article on autophagy and synaptic plasticity

https://www.cell.com/action/showPdf?pii=S0896-6273%2825%2900045-5

Activity-dependent protein expulsion in dendrites

https://www.cell.com/action/showPdf?pii=S2211-1247%2823%2901009-4

Golgi satellites in dendrites, NCAM, and LTP

https://www.cell.com/action/showPdf?pii=S2211-1247%2823%2900703-9