The Jikei University School of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine and Research, WATABE Lab.

Archives

Jul 2025
Our paper is now published in Molecular Brain! Congratulations, Dr. Hiyoshi!　
In this study, we demonstrated that activation of the insular cortex during short-term social isolation is required for subsequent enhancement of social behavior in mice. This work builds upon findings initially discovered by Mr. Daichi Matsushita during his undergraduate research rotation in our laboratory. Our results are expected to provide new insights into the mechanisms underlying behavioral changes induced by loneliness.
“Modulation of social valence by insular cortex activity during acute social isolation in mice”
https://molecularbrain.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13041-025-01236-4
The press release in Japanese is below.
https://www.jikei.ac.jp/press/detail/?id=39051
　
Jul 2025
Our paper is now published in Communications Biology! Congratulations, Dr. Tohyama!
In this study, we elucidated how aversive experiences such as fear alter learning rules in the brain. Through behavioral and physiological analyses in mice, as well as mathematical modeling conducted in collaboration with Prof. Naoki Honda at Nagoya University, we demonstrated that a change of emotional valence mediated by synaptic plasticity can influence future learning rules. These findings are expected to contribute to the development of therapeutic approaches for psychiatric disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
“Aversive experiences induce valence plasticity of instructive signals to change future learning rules in mice”
https://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-025-08367-3
The press release in Japanese is below.
https://www.jikei.ac.jp/press/detail/?id=38150
　
Jul 2025
The 48th Annual Meeting of the Japan Neuroscience Society (NEURO2025) was held in Niigata, Japan!
Prof. Watabe gave a talk at the symposium and Dr. Hiyoshi and Dr. Nagashima presented the results at the conference, too.
　
Apr 2025
The paper on the joint research with Dr. Matsushima, Dr. Ohashi, and Dr. Kobayashi in The Jikei University School of Medicine is now published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation! Congratulations!
We have contributed to the behavioral investigation of pathological model mice. It is expected to be useful for developing treatments for lysosomal storage disorder.
“AAV expression of a blood-brain barrier-penetrating form of β-galactosidase normalises GM1 ganglioside storage in mice”
https://www.jci.org/articles/view/180724
　
Apr 2025
We are pleased to welcome Ms. Suda to our laboratory as a postdoctoral researcher.
We look forward to working together and advancing our research as a team!
In addition to the welcome and farewell party, we also enjoyed our annual cherry blossom viewing along the shores of Lake Teganuma.
Mar 2025
Dr. Toyama and Ms. Esaki have recently left our laboratory upon their retirement/graduation.
Through their research utilizing behavioral and electrophysiological approaches, they have made significant contributions to the development of our lab.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude for their dedicated efforts, and we wish them all the best in their future endeavors.
Mar 2025
The paper on the joint research with Dr. Pan and Dr. Takemoto-Kimura in Nagoya University is now published in Translational psychiatry! Congratulations!
We have contributed to the electrophysiological investigation of synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus of pathological model mice.
It is expected to be useful for developing treatments for Intellectual disability and neurodevelopmental disorder.
“A hyper-activatable CAMK2A variant associated with intellectual disability causes exaggerated long-term potentiation and learning impairments”
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41398-025-03316-4
　
Feb 2025
The paper on the joint research with Dr. Ageta-Ishihara in Toho University is now published in Cell Reports! Congratulations!
The mechanism of synaptic plasticity mediated by the septin cytoskeleton subunit SEPT3 has been clarified.
It is expected to be useful for elucidating the mechanism of memory formation and for developing treatments for neurological diseases.
“Septin 3 regulates memory and L-LTP-dependent extension of endoplasmic reticulum into spines”
https://www.cell.com/cell-reports/pdf/S2211-1247(25)00123-8.pdf
　
Jan 2025
Prof. Watabe has been appointed as the director of the Institute of Clinical Medicine and Research at the Jikei University School of Medicine.
　

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