Maria Lindskog

Maria Lindskog serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Medical Cell Biology at Uppsala University's Faculty of Medicine. Her research examines synaptic tuning mechanisms in the brain, conceptualizing synapses as critical contact points where information is transmitted between neurons. With 80% of brain synapses using glutamate as neurotransmitter, her work investigates how mistuning of glutamatergic transmission relates to cognitive decline and mood disorders.

Dr. Lindskog's laboratory employs rat and mice hippocampal slices for field and patch-clamp recordings to directly assess synaptic activity, complemented by immunohistochemistry, western-blot analysis, and animal behavior studies. A significant methodological innovation involves direct recordings from astrocytes, which she identifies as fundamental yet understudied regulators of excitatory synaptic transmission. Her research program bridges basic neuroscience with translational applications, particularly examining how astrocytic dysfunction contributes to psychiatric disorders through altered synaptic connectivity.

Analysis of her publication record reveals consistent focus on Alzheimer's disease and depression mechanisms. Recent work investigates astrocytic dysfunction in App NL-F mouse models, amyloid-beta effects on astrocyte metabolism, and novel therapeutic approaches including ketamine and Trk-receptor modulators. Her 2023-2024 publications demonstrate active laboratory operations with multiple high-impact papers in Brain, Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, and Neuroinflammation, indicating ongoing research momentum with clear therapeutic translation goals.

As part of Uppsala University's Department of Medical Cell Biology (organized under the Faculty of Medicine), Dr. Lindskog contributes to Sweden's prominent neuroscience community. Her media appearances including Swedish-language videos 'The muscle is the new brain' and 'Can we explain consciousness?' demonstrate commitment to public science communication alongside her research activities.