PD Dr. Michael Linnebank

 

Main Goals, Keywords

Homocysteine metabolism and the vitamins involved are relevant for the metabolic and structural integrity of the central nervous system. Disturbances of homocysteine metabolism, e.g. due to genetic, nutritional or iatrogenic reasons, can lead to neurodegeneration and vascular disease. Manipulation of homocysteine metabolism may improve the clinical course of such disease.
Keywords: Homocysteine, folate, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, S-adenosylmethionine, glutathione, metabolism, genetics, neurodegeneration, Alzheimer’s disease, cognitive decline, aging, neurooncology, epilepsy, stroke.

Group Members

1 group leader, 2 postdocs, 1 PhD student, 2 technicians

Previous and Current Research

The genetic conditions of homocysteine metabolism are associated with DNA methylation, with the concentration of homocysteine metabolites in the plasma and the cerebrospinal fluid, with the clinical course of neurodegenerative diseases, with neurotoxicity of methotrexate chemotherapy, and with the incidence of primary brain tumours. Metabolites of homocysteine metabolism in the plasma or the cerebrospinal fluid are associated with neurodegeneration, cerebrovascular disease, seizures and sepsis.

Future Projects

We investigate to what extend the manipulation of homocysteine metabolism can influence Alzheimer’s disease, cerebrovascular disease, effects and side effects of antiepileptic drugs as well as of methotrexate, and the progression of primary brain tumours. 

Techniques and Equipment

Techniques and equipment of molecular biology, biochemistry, cell culture, histology and transgenic animal models. 

Selected Publications

• Semmler A, Garbe S, Moskau S, Frisch C, Eter N, Schlegel U, Linnebank M. An efficient method for fractionated whole rodent brain radiation. Neurol Res. 2013 May;35(4):355-9. doi: 10.1179/1743132812Y.0000000143. Epub 2013 Jan 10.
• Schaub C, Uebachs M, Beck H, Linnebank M. Chronic homocysteine exposure causes changes in the intrinsic electrophysiological properties of cultured hippocampal neurons. Exp Brain Res. 2013 Apr;225(4):527-34. doi: 10.1007/s00221-012-3392-1. Epub 2013 Jan 10.
• Farkas M, Keskitalo S, Smith DE, Bain N, Semmler A, Ineichen B, Smulders Y, Blom H, Kulic L, Linnebank M. Hyperhomocysteinemia in Alzheimer's disease: the hen and the egg? J Alzheimers Dis. 2013;33(4):1097-104. doi: 10.3233/JAD-2012-121378.
• Linnebank M, Moskau S, Semmler A, Hoefgen B, Bopp G, Kallweit U, Maier W, Schütz CG, Wüllner U. A possible genetic link between MTHFR genotype and smoking behavior. PLoS One. 2012;7(12):e53322. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0053322. Epub 2012 Dec 28.

Selected Lectures, Seminars, Colloquia

• Neurology
• Clinical impact, diagnosis and treatment of vitamin B12 deficiency 
• Homocysteine metabolism, folate and stroke 
• Homocysteine in the human body and associated disorders

Funding

Deutsche Krebshilfe, European Research Advisory Board, Betty and David Koetser Foundation for Brain Research, European Association of Leukodystrophies, Hilde-Rüdiger-Stiftung der Commerzbank, industrial funding.

URL

http://www.neurologie.usz.ch