Dr. C J Wierenga

Biography

C.J. Wierenga is a professor at Radboud University, holding a chair in Neurophysiology at the Donders Centre for Neuroscience. His research focuses on the neuronal circuits of the brain and their remarkable capacity to adapt during development, learning, and in response to injury and disease. Wierenga emphasizes the importance of inhibitory synapses, which constitute approximately 15% of synapses in the brain, as key regulators of synaptic plasticity and information processing. His lab employs advanced techniques such as two-photon microscopy and electrophysiology to explore the molecular mechanisms behind the formation and plasticity of inhibitory synapses. Recent studies by his team have highlighted how these synapses can be dynamically formed or eliminated based on local demands, revealing new insights into the vulnerability of the brain in neurodevelopmental disorders and the early stages of Alzheimer's disease.

Research Interests