Dr Martin Vreugdenhil
Martin studied Biomedical Science at the University of Leiden (The Netherlands) and developed a strong interest in neuroscience, especially in epilepsy. He did his PhD in Neuroscience at the University of Amsterdam (focus on changes in cell physiology in a rat model of epilepsy). After a post-doctoral research position at the University of Amsterdam (focus on the effects of antiepileptic drugs on cell physiology in rat and epilepsy patients) he took a research position at the University of Birmingham (focus on network oscillations in epilepsy and models of fast oscillations).
Martin became a lecturer at the University of Birmingham where he developed a research line focusing on fast network oscillations, studying; 1) the mechanisms underlying them, 2) their role in normal behaviour, 3) how they are changed in brain diseases like Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy and normal ageing, and 4) how they are affected by psycho-active substances, like caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, ketamine and PCP.
In 2015 Martin took a senior lectureship position at the BCU, mainly teaching human physiology in a wide variety of health-related courses. His interest in neurophysiology is now expressed in research in 1) quantifying facial mimicry assessed by facial EMG, 2) the role of fast oscillations in chronic pain perception and tolerance in humans (In collaboration with the Aston Brain Centre) and 3) the role of the serotonin receptors in gut peristalsis in the earthworm.
Martin is Visiting Professor in Xinxiang Medical University (China) where the animal-based research line in fast network oscillations is continued, studying the role of opiates in fast oscillations and the changes in fast oscillations in response to disease and medication.
Current Activity
- Teaching human physiology on a wide variety of courses and modules
- Biomedical Sciences Level 6 lead
- Supervising the PhD project of Thomas Greame-Drury
- Studying oscillations in a wide variety of neuronal networks
- Leading the research cluster Life Sciences for Health and Disease in the Centre for Life and Sport Sciences (CLASS)
Areas of Expertise
Neuro-phsyiological oscillations:
- Emerging properties of neuronal networks
- Epilepsy
- Gamma oscillations
- Pain-related changes in the brain
- Peristaltic waves
Electrophysiology:
- Cell physiology
- Signal analysis
- EEG
- EMG
Rodent behavioural analysis
Qualifications
- PhD
Teaching
Martin teaches human physiology on various courses.
He is module coordinator for Human physiology for BMedEng (ENG4097), Research Methods for BMedEng (ENG5108) and Neuroscience for BMedSc (BMS6006)
Martin tries to promote the use of in-session polling software and the use of LabTutor for life-science practicals.
Research
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Quantifying facial mimicry assessed by facial EMG aiming to improve face-to-face communication.
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Assessing the role of fast oscillations in chronic pain perception and tolerance in humans (in collaboration with the Aston Brain Centre)
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Assessing the role of the serotonin receptors in gut peristalsis in the earthworm.
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Assessing the changes in fast oscillations in neurological diseases and induced by psychoactive drugs (in collaboration with Xinxiang Medical University)
Postgraduate Supervision
- Thomas Greame-Drury
Publications
L. Wang, D. Zhao, M. Wang, Y. Wang, M. Vreugdenhil, J. Lin and C. Lu* (2020) Modulation of hippocampal gamma oscillations by dopamine in heterozygous Reeler mice in vitro. Front. Cell. Neurosci. 13: 586
Y.J. Zhang, Z.Y. Li, J. Zhang, Z.Y. Zhao, H.X. Zhang, M. Vreugdenhil*, and C.B. Lu* (2019) Near-death high-frequency hyper-synchronization in the rat hippocampus. Front. Neurosci. 13: 800.
Y. Li , X. Xie, H. Xing, X. Yuan, Y. Wang, Y. Jin, J.G. Wang, M. Vreugdenhil, Y. Zhao, R. Zhang* and C.B. Lu* (2019) The modulation of gamma oscillations by methamphetamine in rat hippocampal slices. Front. Cell. Neurosci. 13: 277.
Y. Zhang, S. Ahmed, G. Neagu, Y. Wang, Z. Li, J. Wen, C. Liu and M. Vreugdenhil* (2019) μ-Opioid receptor activation modulates CA3-to-CA1 gamma oscillation phase-coupling. IBRO Reports 6: 122-131.
F.L. Guo, J. Zhao, D. Zhao, J.G. Wang, X.F. Wang, Z.W. Feng, M. Vreugdenhil* and C.B. Lu* (2017) Dopamine D4 receptor activation restores CA1 LTP in hippocampal slices from aged mice. Aging Cell 16, 1323-33. Doi: 10.1111/acel.12666.
J.G. Wang, X.L. He, F.L. Guo, X.L. Cheng, Y.L. Wang, X.F. Wang, Z.W. Feng, M. Vreugdenhil, C.B. Lu (2017) Multiple kinases involved in the nicotinic modulation of gamma oscillations in the rat hippocampal CA3 area. Front. Cell. Neurosci. 11:57. Doi: 10.3389/fncel.2017.00057.
S. Barker, E. Rhoads, P. Lindquist, M. Vreugdenhil and P. Müllner (2016) Magnetic shape memory micro-pump for sub-microliter intracranial drug delivery in rats. J. Med. Devices. J. Med. Devices; 10. doi: 10.1115/1.4034576.
J.G. Wang, J.X. Zhao, A.H. Liu, F.L. Guo, Y. Wang, X. Wang, R.L. Zhang, M. Vreugdenhil, C.B. Lu (2016) Acute ethanol inhibition of γ oscillations is mediated by Akt and GSK3β. Front. Cell. Neurosci.10 189. doi: 10.3389/fncel.2016.00189.
C. Li, J. Wang, J. Zhao, Y. Wang, Z. Liu, F.L. Guo, X.F. Wang, M. Vreugdenhil and C.B. Lu (2016) Atorvastatin enhances kainate-induced gamma oscillations in rat hippocampal slices. Eur J Neurosci. 44, 2236-46. doi: 10.1111/ejn.13322.
A.N.J. Pietersen, P.D. Ward, N. Hagger-Vaughan, J.G.R. Jefferys and M. Vreugdenhil (2014) Transition between fast- and slow gamma oscillation modes in rat hippocampus area CA1 in vitro is mediated by slow CA3 gamma oscillations. J. Physiol 592, 605-20.
K. Ward, H. Khattak, L. Richardson, J.C. Lee and M. Vreugdenhil (2013) NMDA receptor antagonists distort visual grouping in rats performing a modified two-choice visual discrimination task. Psychopharmacology 229, 627-37.
C.B. Lu, M. Vreugdenhil, E.C. Toescu (2012). The effect of aging-associated impaired mitochondrial status on kainate-evoked hippocampal gamma oscillations. Neurobiol Aging. 33, 2692-703.
C.B. Lu, Z.H. Wang, Y.H. Zhou and M. Vreugdenhil (2012). Temperature- and concentration-dependence of kainate-induced γ oscillation in rat hippocampal slices under submerged condition. Acta Pharmacol. Sin. 33, 214-20.
S. Ratte, M. Vreugdenhil, J.K. Boult, A. Patel, J. Collinge and J.G.R. Jefferys (2011). Threshold for epileptiform activity is elevated in prion knockout mice. Neuroscience 179, 56-61.
C.B. Lu, J.G.R. Jefferys, E.C. Toescu and M. Vreugdenhil (2011). In vitro hippocampal gamma oscillation power as an index of in vivo CA3 gamma oscillation strength and spatial reference memory. Neurobiol. Learn. Memory 95, 221-30.
H. Anver, P.C. Ward, A. Magony and M. Vreugdenhil (2011). NMDA receptor hypofunction phase-couples gamma oscillations in the rat visual cortex. Neuropsychopharmacology. 36, 519-28.
P.Jiruska, J. Csicsvari, A.D. Powell, J.E. Fox, W.-C. Chang, M. Vreugdenhil, X. Li, M. Palus, A. Fernandez, R. Dearden, and J.G.R Jefferys (2010) High-frequency network activity, global increase in neuronal activity and synchrony expansion precede epileptic seizures in vitro J. Neurosci. 30, 5690-701.
O.O. Oke, H. Anver, A. Magony, P. Jiruska, J.G.R. Jefferys and M. Vreugdenhil (2010) High-frequency and low-frequency gamma oscillations coexist in rat visual cortex in vitro. Eur J Neuroscience 31, 1435-45.
E.C.Toescu and M. Vreugdenhil (2010). Calcium and normal brain ageing. Cell Calcium 47,158-64.
P. Jiruska A.D. Powell, M. Vreugdenhil and J.G.R. Jefferys (2009) Reference noise method of removing powerline noise from recorded signals. J Neurosci. Meth. 184, 110-114.
C.B. Lu, J.B. Hamilton, A.D. Powell, E.C. Toescu and M. Vreugdenhil (2009) Effect of ageing on CA3 interneuron sAHP and gamma oscillations is activity-dependent. Neurobiol. Aging. 32, 956-965.
A.N.J. Pietersen, N Patel, J.G.R. Jefferys and M. Vreugdenhil (2009) Comparison between spontaneous and kainate-induced gamma oscillations in the mouse hippocampus in vitro. Eur. J. Neurosci. 29, 2145-2156.
A.N.J. Pietersen, D.M. Lancaster, N. Patel, J.B. Hamilton and M. Vreugdenhil (2009) Modulation of gamma oscillations by endogenous adenosine through A1 and A2A receptors in the mouse hippocampus. Neuropharmacology 56, 481-492.
A.S. Nateri, G. Raivich, C. Gebhardt, C. Da Costa, H. Naumann, M. Vreugdenhil, M. Makwana, S. Brandner, R.H. Adams, J.G.R. Jefferys, O. Kann and A. Behrens (2007) ERK activation causes epilepsy by stimulatingNMDA receptor activity. EMBO J. 26, 4891-4901.
M. Vreugdenhil (2007) Brain function: From membrane to memory. In D. Richards et al. The human brain and its disorders, Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK, p21-43.
R. Id Bihi, J.G.R. Jefferys and M. Vreugdenhil (2005) The role of extracellular potassium in recurrent GABAergic excitation. Epilepsia 46 (Supp. 5); 1-8.
M. Vreugdenhil and E.C. Toescu (2005) Age-related impairment of in vitro induced hippocampal gamma oscillations. Neuroscience 123, 1151-1157.
M. Vreugdenhil, E. Bracci and J.G.R. Jefferys. (2005)Layer-specific pyramidal cell oscillations evoked by tetanic stimulation in the rat hippocampal area CA1 in vitro and in vivo. J. Physiol. 562, 149-164.
M. Vreugdenhil, G. Hoogland, C.W.M. van Veelen and W.J. Wadman. (2004)Persistent sodium current in subicular neurons isolated from patients with temporal lobe epilepsy. Eur. J. Neurosci. 19, 1-10.
B. Schwaller, I.V. Tetko, P. Tandon, Silveira, D.C., M. Vreugdenhil, T. Henzi, M.-C. Potier, M.R. Celio, and A.E.P. Villa (2004) Parvalbumin deficiency affects network properties resulting in increased susceptibility to epileptic seizures. Mol. Cell. Neurosci. 25, 650-663.
M. Vreugdenhil, B. Schwaller, J.G.R. Jefferys and M.R. Celio. (2003) Parvalbumin deficiency increases facilitation of GABAAergic post-synaptic currents and related network oscillations in mouse hippocampus. J. Neurophysiol. 89, 1414-1422.
M. Bikson, R. Id Bihi, M. Vreugdenhil, R. Köhling, J.E. Fox, J.G.R. Jefferys (2002) Quinine suppresses extracellular potassium transients and ictal epileptiform activity without decreasing neuronal excitability in vitro. Neuroscience 115, 251-261.
M. Vreugdenhil, S.P. Hack, A,. Draghun, and J.G.R. Jefferys. (2002) Tetanus toxin induces long-term changes in excitation and inhibition in the rat hippocampal CA1 area.Neuroscience. 114, 983-994.
R. Köhling, S.J. Gladwell, E. Bracci, M. Vreugdenhil and J.G.R. Jefferys. (2001) Prolonged epileptiform bursting induced by 0-Mg2+ in rat hippocampal slices depends on gap junctional coupling. Neuroscience 105, 579-587.
E. Bracci, M. Vreugdenhil, S.P. Hack and J.G.R. Jefferys (2001) Dynamic modulation of excitation and inhibition during stimulation at gamma and beta frequencies in the CA1 hippocampal region. J. Neurophysiol. 85, 2412-2422.
R.A. Voskuyl and M. Vreugdenhil (2001) Effects of Essential fatty acids on voltage-regulated ionic channels and seizure thresholds in animals. In: D. Mostofsky et al. Fatty acids, Humana Press Inc., Totowa, NJ, USA, p63-78.
R. Köhling, M. Vreugdenhil, E. Bracci and J.G.R. Jefferys. (2000) Ictal epileptiform activity is facilitated by hippocampal GABAA receptor-mediated oscillations. J. Neurosci. 15, 6820-6829
E. Bracci, M. Vreugdenhil, S.P. Hack, J.G.R. Jefferys (1999). On the synchronizing mechanisms of tetanically induced hippocampal oscillations. J. Neurosci. 19, 8104-8113
M. Vreugdenhil and W.J. Wadman (1999) Modulation of sodium currents in rat CA1 neurons by carbamazepine and valproate after kindling epileptogenesis. Epilepsia 40, 1512-1522
R.A. Voskuyl, M. Vreugdenhil, J.X. Kang, J.X., Leaf, A. (1998) Anticonvulsant effect of polyunsaturated fatty acids in rats, using the cortical stimulation model. Eur. J. Pharmacol. 34, 145-152.
M. Vreugdenhil, C.W.M. van Veelen, P.C. van Rijen, F.H. Lopes da Silva and W.J Wadman. (1998) Effect of valproic acid on sodium currents in cortical neurons from patients with pharmaco-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy. Epilepsy Res. 32, 309-320.
M. Vreugdenhil, G.C. Faas, and W.J. Wadman, (1998) Sodium currents in isolated rat CA1 neurons after kindling epileptogenesis. Neuroscience 86, 99-107.
M. Vreugdenhil, C. Bruehl, R.A. Voskuyl, W. J. Wadman and A Leaf (1996) Polyunsaturated fatty acids modulate sodium and calcium currents in CA1 neurons. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 93, 12559-12563.
G. C. Faas, M. Vreugdenhil and W.J. Wadman (1996) Calcium currents in pyramidal CA1 neurons in vitro after kindling epileptogenesis in the hippocampus of the rat. Neuroscience 75, 57-67.
F.H. Lopes da Silva, W. Kamphuis, M. Titulaer, M. Vreugdenhil and W.J. Wadman (1995). An experimental model of progressive epilepsy: the development of kindling of the hippocampus of the rat. Ital. J. Neurol. Sci. 16, 45-57.
M. Vreugdenhil and W.J. Wadman (1995) Potassium currents in isolated CA1 neurons after kindling epileptogenesis in the rat. Neuroscience 66, 805-813
M. Vreugdenhil, G.G. Somjen and W.J. Wadman (1995) Effects of strongly anisosmotic and NaCl deficient solutions on muscimol- and glutamate-evoked whole-cell currents in freshly dissociated hippocampal neurons. Brain Res. 670, 89-96.
M. Vreugdenhil and W.J. Wadman (1994) Kindling induced long-lasting enhancement of calcium current in hippocampal area CA1 of the rat: relation to calcium-dependent inactivation. Neuroscience 59, 105-114.
G.G. Somjen, G.C. Faas, M. Vreugdenhil and W.J. Wadman (1993) Channel shutdown: a response of hippocampal neurons to adverse environments. Brain Res. 632, 180-194.
M. Vreugdenhil and W.J. Wadman (1992) Enhancement of calcium currents in rat hippocampal CA1 neurons induced by kindling epileptogenesis. Neuroscience 49, 373-381
Work With Industry
Martin provides bespoke training in rodent electrophysiology through his private consultancy www.e-physsolutions.co.uk in collaboration with http://campdeninstruments.com/.