Developmental Neural Plasticity Unit - Division of Intramural Research

 Leonardo   Belluscio  Ph.D., Investigator

Dr. Belluscio received his B.S. from Manhattan College and his Ph.D. from Columbia University where he studied the molecular and cellular organization of the mammalian olfactory system with Richard Axel. He then went on to do post-doctoral training with Larry Katz at Duke University, where he investigated the functional and anatomical organization of the olfactory bulb using various imaging techniques. Dr. Belluscio joined NINDS as an investigator in 2002. His laboratory now combines molecular and functional techniques to explore the development of the olfactory system with emphasis on neural plasticity associated with neonatal learning.

Laboratory Staff

Natalie Balducci, , Research Assistant
Kai Cheng, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Fellow
Mariel Kerr, , Predoctoral Fellow
Carolyn Marks, , Predoctoral Fellow
Raia Minassian, , Predoctoral Fellow

Research Interests

Olfactory sensory neurons, which reside in the olfactory epithelium, detect odors in the outside world and transmit this information directly to the output neurons of the olfactory bulb. Within the olfactory bulb a large population of inhibitory interneurons extensively modulates this information before it is relayed on to the olfactory cortex. This information processing is thought to play a critical role in the plasticity underlying olfactory learning. Since the mammalian olfactory system continues to develop for several weeks postnatally, this defined period of heightened plasticity provides a perfect window of opportunity to study the interplay between development and learning.

Selected Recent Publications

Lodovichi C, Belluscio L, Katz LC
Functional topography of connections linking mirror-symmetric maps in the mouse olfactory bulb - Neuron    2003

Belluscio L, Lodovichi C, Feinstein P, Mombaerts P, Katz LC.
Odorant receptors instruct functional circuitry in the mouse olfactory bulb. - Nature  419 296-300 2002

Herve D, Le Moine C, Corvol JC, Belluscio L, Ledent C, Fienberg AA, Jaber M, Studler JM, Girault JA
Galpha(old) levels are regulated by receptor usage and control dopamine and adenosine action in the striatum. - J Neurosci    2001

Belluscio L, Katz LC.
Symmetry, stereotypy, and topography of odorant representations in mouse olfactory bulbs. - J Neurosci   21 2113-22 2001

Zhuang X, Belluscio L, Hen R.
G(olf)alpha mediates dopamine D1 receptor signaling. - J Neurosci   20 RC91 2000

Belluscio L, Koentges G, Axel R, Dulac C.
A map of pheromone receptor activation in the mammalian brain. - Cell  97 209-20 1999

Selected Earlier Publications

Contact Information

Developmental Neural Plasticity Unit, NINDS Porter Neuroscience Research Center  Building 35, Room 3A-116  35 Convent Drive, MSC 3703 Bethesda MD  20892-3703

Telephone: 301-496- 4898 (office), 301- 435-4643 (laboratory), 301-435- 4959 (fax), Email: belluscl@ninds.nih.gov