Koen Gerard Alois Vervaeke

Associate Professor - Laboratory for Neural Computation
Image of Koen Gerard Alois Vervaeke
Norwegian version of this page
Phone +47 22854596
Mobile phone 95184931
Room 0296
Username
Visiting address Sogsvannsveien 9 0372 Oslo Norway
Postal address Postboks 1103 Blindern 0317 Oslo
Other affiliations Institutt for pedagogikk (Student)

Academic interests

See our also our lab page: Vervaeke lab

Mission and methods

Our lab studies how the brain turns sensory information into perceptions. The physical stimuli reaching our eyes and ears are very complex, yet our perception of the outer world appears rather simple. To understand how we are able to interact with the physical world so efficiently, we study the fundamental principles by which brain circuits operate.

We currently focus our efforts on the neocortex, the outermost part of our brain that is important for most learned and flexible behaviors. We want to understand the logic behind the neural connections and how the emerging pattern of activity underlies the animal's behavior. Our central hypothesis is that the basic unit of the cortex -the pyramidal cell- associates sensory input with internal activity based on expectations and previous experience. Because sensory- and internal input occur on different parts of the dendritic tree and is under tight control by inhibitory neurons, we have a special interest in how dendrites integrate these two input streams.

We are a multidisciplinary lab that combines experiments and computational modeling. Our central approach is to train mice to perform simple perceptual tasks. By using quantitative behavior, optogenetic gain- and loss-of-function manipulations, in-vivo two-photon imaging, and electrophysiology, we aim to provide a description of the relationship between the function of neural circuits and perception. To obtain a mechanistic understanding of how neural circuits operate we use our experimental data to develop computer models. This allows us not only to test hypotheses but also to help the design of new experiments.

By unraveling circuits for perception in the healthy brain, we expect to gain key insights into principles of mammalian brain function, and to provide a framework to understand how circuit dysfunction causes mental and behavioral aspects of neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases.

Courses taught

  • Eye movements (MED4100, MED2200)
  • The vestibular system (MED4100, MED2200)
  • Somatosensation (MED2200)

Background

Koen Vervaeke, Associate Professor

2011-2014 Janelia Farm Junior Fellow (mentors Karel Svoboda and Jeff Magee)

2007-2011 Postdoc, University College London (Angus Silver lab)

2002-2007 PhD in Physiology, Oslo University (Johan Storm Lab)

Awards

  • ERC starting grant (2015)
  • FRIPRO Young Research Talents grant (2014)

Publications

  • Lande, Andreas Sigstad; Garvert, Anna Christina; Ebbesen, Nora Cecilie; Jordbræk, Sondre Valentin & Vervaeke, Koen Gerard Alois (2023). Representations of tactile object location in the retrosplenial cortex. Current Biology. ISSN 0960-9822. 33(21), p. 4599–4610. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.09.019. Full text in Research Archive
  • Gianatti, Michele; Garvert, Anna Christina; Lenkey, Nora Melinda; Ebbesen, Nora Cecilie; Hennestad, Eivind & Vervaeke, Koen Gerard Alois (2023). Multiple long-range projections convey position information to the agranular retrosplenial cortex. Cell reports. ISSN 2211-1247. 42(9). doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113109. Full text in Research Archive
  • Chambers, Anna Ruth; Berge, Christoffer Nerland & Vervaeke, Koen Gerard Alois (2022). Cell-type-specific silence in thalamocortical circuits precedes hippocampal sharp-wave ripples. Cell reports. ISSN 2211-1247. 40(4). doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111132. Full text in Research Archive
  • Kriener, Birgit; Hu, Hua & Vervaeke, Koen Gerard Alois (2022). Parvalbumin interneuron dendrites enhance gamma oscillations. Cell reports. ISSN 2211-1247. 39(11). doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110948. Full text in Research Archive
  • Hennestad, Eivind; Witoelar, Aree Widya; Chambers, Anna Ruth & Vervaeke, Koen Gerard Alois (2021). Mapping vestibular and visual contributions to angular head velocity tuning in the cortex. Cell reports. ISSN 2211-1247. 37(12). doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.110134. Full text in Research Archive
  • Bjørnstad, Daniel Marelius; Åbjørsbråten, Knut Sindre; Hennestad, Eivind; Cunen, Celine; Hermansen, Gudmund Horn & Bojarskaite, Laura [Show all 9 contributors for this article] (2021). Begonia - a two-photon imaging analysis pipeline for astrocytic Ca2+ signals. Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience. ISSN 1662-5102. 15. doi: 10.3389/fncel.2021.681066. Full text in Research Archive
  • Kriener, Birgit; Hu, Hua & Vervaeke, Koen Gerard Alois (2021). Parvalbumin interneuron dendrites enhance gamma oscillations. bioRxiv. ISSN 2692-8205. doi: 10.1101/2021.06.22.449483.
  • Bojarskaite, Laura; Bjørnstad, Daniel Marelius; Pettersen, Klas Henning; Cunen, Celine; Hermansen, Gudmund Horn & Åbjørsbråten, Knut Sindre [Show all 12 contributors for this article] (2020). Astrocytic Ca2+ signaling is reduced during sleep and is involved in the regulation of slow wave sleep. Nature Communications. ISSN 2041-1723. 11. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-17062-2. Full text in Research Archive
  • Hu, Hua & Vervaeke, Koen Gerard Alois (2017). Synaptic integration in cortical inhibitory neuron dendrites. Neuroscience. ISSN 0306-4522. 368, p. 115–131. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2017.06.065.
  • Morland, Cecilie; Andersson, Krister; Haugen, Øyvind Pernell; Hadzic, Alena; Kleppa, Liv & Gille, Andreas [Show all 21 contributors for this article] (2017). Exercise induces cerebral VEGF and angiogenesis via the lactate receptor HCAR1. Nature Communications. ISSN 2041-1723. 8. doi: 10.1038/ncomms15557. Full text in Research Archive
  • Enger, Rune; Dukefoss, Didrik Bakke; Tang, Wannan; Pettersen, Klas; Bjørnstad, Daniel Marelius & Helm, Paul Johannes [Show all 11 contributors for this article] (2016). Deletion of aquaporin-4 curtails extracellular glutamate elevation in cortical spreading depression in awake mice. Cerebral Cortex. ISSN 1047-3211. doi: 10.1093/cercor/bhw359.
  • Szoboszlay, Miklos; Lőrincz, Andrea; Lanore, Fredereic; Vervaeke, Koen Gerard Alois; Silver, R Angus & Nusser, Zoltan (2016). Functional properties of dendritic gap junctions in cerebellar golgi cells. Neuron. ISSN 0896-6273. 90(5), p. 1043–1056. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2016.03.029.
  • Rinholm, Johanne Egge; Vervaeke, Koen Gerard Alois; Tadross, Michael; Tkachuk, Ariana; Kopek, Benjamin & Brown, Timothy A [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2016). Movement and structure of mitochondria in oligodendrocytes and their myelin sheaths. Glia. ISSN 0894-1491. 64(5), p. 810–825. doi: 10.1002/glia.22965.
  • Vervaeke, Koen Gerard Alois; lörincz, Andrea; Nusser, Zoltan & Silver, R (2012). Gap Junctions Compensate for Sublinear Dendritic Integration in an Inhibitory Network. Science. ISSN 0036-8075. 335(6076), p. 1624–1628. doi: 10.1126/science.1215101.
  • Vervaeke, Koen Gerard Alois; lörincz, Andrea; Gleeson, Padraig; Farinella, Matteo; Nusser, Zoltan & Silver, R (2010). Rapid Desynchronization of an Electrically Coupled Interneuron Network with Sparse Excitatory Synaptic Input. Neuron. ISSN 0896-6273. 67(3), p. 349–522. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2010.06.028.
  • Storm, Johan Frederik; Vervaeke, Koen Gerard Alois; Hu, Hua & Graham, LJ (2009). Functions of the persistent Na+ current in cortical neurons revealed by dynamic clamp. In Destexhe, Alain & Bal, Thierry (Ed.), Dynamic-clamp: From Principles To Applications. Springer. ISSN 978-0-387-89278-8. p. 1–33.
  • Storm, Johan Frederik; Vervaeke, Koen Gerard Alois & Hu, Hua (2009). Functions of the Persistent Na+ Current in Cortical Neurons Revealed by Dynamic Clamp. In Destexhe, Alain & Bal, Thierry (Ed.), Dynamic-clamp: From Principles To Applications. Springer. ISSN 978-0-387-89278-8. p. 165–199.
  • Gu, Ning; Hu, Hua; Vervaeke, Koen Gerard Alois & Storm, Johan Frederik (2008). SK (K(Ca)2) Channels Do Not Control Somatic Excitability in CA1 Pyramidal Neurons But Can Be Activated by Dendritic Excitatory Synapses and Regulate Their Impact. Journal of Neurophysiology. ISSN 0022-3077. 100(5), p. 2589–2604. doi: 10.1152/jn.90433.2008.
  • Gu, Ning; Vervaeke, Koen Gerard Alois & Storm, Johan Frederik (2007). BK potassium channels facilitate high-frequency firing and cause early spike frequency adaptation in rat CA1 hippocampal pyramidal cells. Journal of Physiology. ISSN 0022-3751. 580.3, p. 859–882. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.2006.126367.
  • Hu, Hua; Vervaeke, Koen Gerard Alois & Storm, Johan Frederik (2007). M-channels (Kv7/KCNQ channels) that regulate synaptic integration, excitability, and spike pattern of CA1 pyramidal cells are located in the perisomatic region. Journal of Neuroscience. ISSN 0270-6474. 27, p. 1853–1867. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.4463-06.2007.

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  • Storm, Johan Frederik; Vervaeke, Koen Gerard Alois; Hu, Hua & Graham, LJ (2009). Dynamic clamp. Springer. ISBN 978-0-387-89278-8. 429 p.

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  • Vervaeke, Koen Gerard Alois; Hu, Hua & Kriener, Birgit (2019). Dendritic properties of parvalbumin interneurons enhance robustness of gamma oscillations.
  • Kriener, Birgit; Hu, Hua & Vervaeke, Koen Gerard Alois (2018). Stabilization of gamma oscillations in basket cell networks: the role of dendritic attenuation.
  • Kriener, Birgit; Hu, Hua & Vervaeke, Koen Gerard Alois (2018). Dendritic properties of parvalbumin interneurons enhance robustness of gamma oscillations.
  • Morland, Cecilie; Andersson, Krister; Haugen, Øyvind Pernell; Hadzic, Alena; Kleppa, Liv & Gille, Andreas [Show all 18 contributors for this article] (2016). A novel mechanism for cerebral angiogenesis via lactate receptor HCAR1 at pial vessels.
  • Morland, Cecilie; Andersson, Krister; Haugen, Øyvind Pernell; Hadzic, Alena; Kleppa, Liv & Gille, Andreas [Show all 18 contributors for this article] (2016). Exercise induces cerebral angiogenesis via lactate receptor HCAR1 at pial vessels.
  • Hobbi Mobarhan, Milad; Einevoll, Gaute; Geir, Halnes; Vervaeke, Koen Gerard Alois & Fyhn, Marianne (2015). Roles of cortical feedback in lateral geniculate nucleus.
  • Dragly, Svenn-Arne; Ness, Torbjørn Vefferstad; Vervaeke, Koen Gerard Alois & Einevoll, Gaute (2015). Discovering extracellular signatures by modeling of local field potentials.
  • Hu, Hua; Vervaeke, Koen Gerard Alois; Graham, L & Storm, Johan Frederik (2009). Dual, complementary theta resonance filtering in hippocampal pyramidal neurons.
  • Storm, Johan Frederik & Vervaeke, Koen Gerard Alois (2007). Effects of sub-threshold activated ion channels on signal integration in hippocampal pyramidal neurons. Tidsskrift for Den norske legeforening. ISSN 0029-2001.
  • Vervaeke, Koen Gerard Alois; Sharifullina, Elina & Storm, Johan Frederik (2007). Mechanisms and cholinergic modulation of subthreshold theta resonance, after-hyperpolarizations (mAHP), and bursting in hippocampal CA3 pyramidal cells.
  • Hu, Hua; Vervaeke, Koen Gerard Alois & Storm, Johan Frederik (2007). Theta resonance regulates frequency-dependence of postsynaptic responses and signal transfer along the apical dendrites of hippocampal pyramidal cells.
  • Vervaeke, Koen Gerard Alois; Peters, C; Isbrandt, Dirk & Storm, Johan Frederik (2007). Evidence that KCNQ2-containing M-channels underlie a major component of the presynaptic M-current in hippocampal glutamatergic axons.
  • Vervaeke, Koen Gerard Alois; Gu, Ning & Storm, Johan Frederik (2006). Large conductance calcium activated K+ (BK) channels promote high-frequency firing in rat CA1 hippocampal pyramidal neurons.
  • Vervaeke, Koen Gerard Alois; Hu, Hua; Graham, LJ & Storm, Johan Frederik (2005). Persistent sodium current modulates temporal precision of action potential discharge in CA1 pyramidal cells.
  • Vervaeke, Koen Gerard Alois & Storm, Johan Frederik (2003). Modulation of theta - resonance in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells by neurotransmitters acting via H - , leak and GIRK channels.
  • Vervaeke, Koen Gerard Alois & Storm, Johan Frederik (2007). Effects of sub-threshold activated ion channels on signal integration in hippocampal pyramidal neurons. Unipub forlag.

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Published Feb. 3, 2016 4:01 PM - Last modified Dec. 6, 2023 12:21 PM