Neurobiology Research Unit

Anders Bue Klein

MSc, PhD

Scientific interests| Biography
Publications | Address

Scientific interests

Depression is presumably a result of disturbances in the monoaminergic neurotransmission. But structural changes of the hippocampus formation may also be involved in the pathogenesis of depression. The neurotrophins are important mediators in this matter, and the most abundant of these - the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) – is thought to be dysregulated in depression. Previously, a close interaction between BDNF and the serotonergic system has been reported and especially 5-HT2A receptor expression is affected by changes in BDNF levels.
Thus, the main focus of my PhD project is to investigate the interaction between BDNF and the serotonergic system. The changes in expression and function of these proteins following antidepressant treatment will be explored using rats, mice (BDNF knock-out mice) and primary neuronal cell cultures. Finally, we will investigate how polymorphisms in the BDNF gene affect 5-HT2A receptor and serotonin transporter binding in healthy subjects. The methods applied in this project are western blotting, ELISA, autoradiography, immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridisation and qPCR. In addition, we are also performing behavioral studies in rodents.

Biography

2010 -	Post doc at the Neurobiology Research Unit
2006 - 2010	PhD Student at the Neurobiology Research Unit
2007 - 2008	PhD Student at Tufts University, Boston, USA
2006 -	Research Assistant, Neurobiology Research Unit (NRU), Rigshospitalet
2005 - 2006	Research Assistant, Dept. of Molecular Neuropathology, University of Copenhagen
2005	MSc in Human Biology from University of Copenhagen

Publications

Klein AB, Santini MA, Aznar S, Knudsen GM, Rios M (2010a) Changes in 5-HT(2A)-mediated behavior and 5-HT(2A)- and 5-HT(1A) receptor binding and expression in conditional brain-derived neurotrophic factor knock-out mice. Neuroscience (169(3):1007-16
Klein AB, Williamson R, Santini MA, Clemmensen C, Ettrup A, Rios M, Knudsen GM, Aznar S (2010) Blood BDNF concentrations reflect brain-tissue BDNF levels across species. Int J Neuropsychopharmacology (Epub ahead of print)
Klein AB, Trajkovska V, Erritzoe D, Haugbol S, Madsen J, Baaré W, Aznar S, Knudsen GM (2010) Cerebral 5-HT2A receptor and serotonin transporter binding in humans are not affected by the val66met BDNF polymorphism status or blood BDNF levels, Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism (Epub ahead of print)
Holm P, Ettrup A, Klein AB, Santini MA, El-Sayed M, Elvang AB, Stensbol TB, Mikkelsen JD, Knudsen GM, Aznar S (2010) Plaque deposition dependent decrease in 5-HT2A serotonin receptor in AbetaPPswe/PS1dE9 amyloid overexpressing mice. J Alzheimers Dis 20:1201-1213
Aznar S, Klein AB, Santini MA et al. Aging and depression vulnerability interaction results in decreased serotonin innervation associated with reduced BDNF levels in hippocampus of rats bred for learned helplessness. Synapse 2010; 64: 561-565
Licht CL, Marcussen AB, Wegener G, Overstreet DH, Aznar S, Knudsen GM. The brain 5-HT4 receptor binding is down-regulated in the Flinders Sensitive Line depression model and in response to paroxetine administration. J Neurochem 2009; 109: 1363-1374
Trajkovska V, Santini MA, Marcussen AB et al. BDNF downregulates 5-HT(2A) receptor protein levels in hippocampal cultures. Neurochem Int 2009; 55: 697-702
Trajkovska V, Kirkegaard L, Krey G, Marcussen AB et al. Activation of glucocorticoid receptors increases 5-HT2A receptor levels. Exp Neurol 2009; 218: 83-91
Marcussen AB, Flagstad P, Kristjansen PE, Johansen FF, Englund U. Increase in neurogenesis and behavioural benefit after chronic fluoxetine treatment in Wistar rats. Acta Neurol Scand 2008; 117: 94-100
Trajkovska V, Marcussen AB, Vinberg M, Hartvig P, Aznar S, Knudsen GM. Measurements of brain-derived neurotrophic factor: methodological aspects and demographical data. Brain Res Bull 2007; 73: 143-149
Christensen R, Marcussen AB, Wortwein G, Knudsen GM, Aznar S. Abeta(1-42) injection causes memory impairment, lowered cortical and serum BDNF levels, and decreased hippocampal 5-HT(2A) levels. Exp Neurol 2008; 210: 164-171

Address

Neurobiology Research Unit
Rigshospitalet
Blegdamsvej 9
DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
Phone: +45 3545 6706
Fax: +45 3545 6713
E-mail: anders.bue.klein#nru.dk