Dr Matthew Broadhead
Research Fellow
Research areas
I'm interested in the role of glia - the support cells of the nervous system - in modulating neuronal networks in the spinal cord. Astrocytes, one of the main forms of glial cells, are thought to respond to neural activity, and signal back to the neurons using a variety of gliotransmitters. Astrocytes are thought to not only be important for basic nervous system physiology, but are also crucial in diseases of the nervous system. Using live imaging methods, and chemic-genetic tools of manipulation, I am investigating the role of astrocytes in the spinal cord neuronal networks that underlie rhythmic locomotor activity. In addition I am using advanced microscopy and image analysis techniques to interrogate the structural association between astrocytes and neuronal synapses to further understand the communication points between both neurons and glia.
PhD supervision
- Struan Nisbet
- Alyssa Corbett
- Ahmad Jibai
Selected publications
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Open access
Excitatory to inhibitory synaptic ratios are unchanged at presymptomatic stages in multiple models of ALS
Bonthron, C., Burley, S., Broadhead, M. J., Metodieva, V. V., Grant, S., Chandran, S. & Miles, G. B., 1 Aug 2024, In: PLoS ONE. 19, 8, 21 p., e0306423.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Open access
M-type potassium currents differentially affect activation of motoneuron subtypes and tune recruitment gain
Sharples, S. A., Broadhead, M. J., Gray, J. & Miles, G. B., 15 Dec 2023, In: The Journal of Physiology. 601, 24, p. 5751-5775 25 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Open access
Synaptic expression of TAR-DNA-binding protein 43 in the mouse spinal cord determined using super-resolution microscopy
Broadhead, M. J., Ayvazian-Hancock, A., Doucet, K., Kantelberg, O., Motherwell, L., Zhu, F., Grant, S., Horrocks, M. H. & Miles, G. B., 21 Aug 2023, In: Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience. 16, 14 p., 1027898.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Open access
Selective vulnerability of tripartite synapses in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Broadhead, M. J., Bonthron, C., Waddington, J., Smith, W. V., Lopez, M. F., Burley, S., Valli, J., Zhu, F., Komiyama, N. H., Smith, C., Grant, S. G. N. & Miles, G. B., Apr 2022, In: Acta Neuropathologica. 143, 4, p. 471–486Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Open access
A common role for astrocytes in rhythmic behaviours?
Broadhead, M. J. & Miles, G. B., Jul 2021, In: Progress in Neurobiology. 202, 17 p., 102052.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
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Open access
Author Correction: Nanostructural Diversity of Synapses in the Mammalian Spinal Cord (Scientific Reports, (2020), 10, 1, (8189), 10.1038/s41598-020-64874-9)
Broadhead, M. J., Bonthron, C., Arcinas, L., Bez, S., Zhu, F., Goff, F., Nylk, J., Dholakia, K., Gunn-Moore, F., Grant, S. G. N. & Miles, G. B., Dec 2021, In: Scientific Reports. 11, 1, 23160.Research output: Contribution to journal › Comment/debate › peer-review
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Open access
Bi-directional communication between neurons and astrocytes modulates spinal motor circuits
Broadhead, M. J. & Miles, G. B., 27 Feb 2020, In: Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience. 14, 14 p., 30.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Open access
Nanostructural diversity of synapses in the mammalian spinal cord
Broadhead, M. J., Bonthron, C., Arcinas, L., Bez, S., Zhu, F., Goff, F. E., Nylk, J., Dholakia, K., Gunn-Moore, F. J., Grant, S. G. N. & Miles, G. B., 18 May 2020, In: Scientific Reports. 10, 18 p., 8189.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Open access
Synaptic mechanisms underlying modulation of locomotor-related motoneuron output by premotor cholinergic interneurons
Nascimento, F., Broadhead, M. J., Tetringa, E., Tsape, E., Zagoraiou, L. & Miles, G. B., 9 Mar 2020, In: eLife. 9, 26 p., e54170.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Open access
Modulation of spinal motor networks by astrocyte-derived adenosine is dependent on D1-like dopamine receptor signalling
Acton, D., Broadhead, M. J. & Miles, G. B., 1 Sept 2018, In: Journal of Neurophysiology. 120, 3, p. 998-1009Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review