Jennifer Gelinas, MD, PhD
Research Interest
Epilepsy is more than just seizures.
Children and adults with epilepsy often experience problems with intellectual development, learning, memory, and attention – symptoms that can sometimes be even more disabling than seizures. In our lab, we study neural networks that mediate these cognitive functions in developing and mature brains. By understanding the physiology of these networks and how they are disrupted by epileptic activity, we work toward targeted treatments that aim not only to stop seizures, but also to address cognitive comorbidities. We pursue research projects in 3 main axes:
EPILEPSY AND MEMORY
We use memory tasks and large-scale neural recordings in behaving rodents to understand the interplay between epileptic activity and memory. We also use closed loop technologies to perturb these neural networks with the goal of altering memory function.
NEURODEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS
We perform multi-cortical neurophysiologic recordings in wild type neonatal and juvenile rodents as well as those harboring mutations associated with epilepsy, autism, and intellectual disability to understand the unique features of these neurodevelopmental disorders.
DEVICES AND COMPUTATION FOR EPILEPTIC NETWORKS
We develop computational approaches to interictal epileptic networks using intracranial EEG data from patients with epilepsy, and leverage advanced neural interface devices to gain higher spatiotemporal resolution data from these networks.
- MD, University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine (Canada)
- PhD, University of Alberta (Canada)
- Residency: British Columbia Children's Hospital, Canada
- Fellowship: New York University Langone Medical Center, Neuroscience Institute
- Fellowship: New York University Langone Medical Center
Science mentor for Independent Science Program (high school level), 2015-2016
NYU Neuroscience Outreach Organizer and Volunteer, 2014-2015
Science Mentor for i2 Science Challenge Program, 2013-2014
Laboratory Coordinator for CRISP (Clinically Rich Integrated Science Program), 2013-2014
Resident Lecturer at Neurology Academic Half-Day, University of British Columbia, 2011-2013
Neurology Resident Advisor for Pediatric Clerkship e-Health Initiative, University of British Columbia, 2010-2011
Teaching Assistant for Pediatrics Resident Half-Day, University of British Columbia, 2010-2011
Resident research curriculum development (Child Neurology)
Supervision of medical students, residents, and fellows
Laura MacRae Award, Department of Pediatrics, BC Children’s Hospital, Award for Excellence in Pediatric Medicine, 2013
Taking Flight Award, CURE Epilepsy
School of Engineering and Applied Sciences Interdisciplinary Research Seed
Louis V. Gerstner Jr. Scholar
Hassan A, Zhao Z, Ferrero JJ, Cea C, Jastrzebska-Perfect P, Viswanathan A, Sheth SA, Khodagholy D, Gelinas JN (2022) Translational organic neural interface devices at single neuron resolution. Advanced Science.
M. S. Ejneby, M. Jakešová, J. Ferrero, L. Migliaccio, I. Sahalianov, Z. Zhao, M. Berggren D. Khodagholy, V Đerek, J.N. Gelinas E.D. Głowacki. "Chronic electrical stimulation of peripheral nerves via deep-red light transduced by an implanted organic photocapacitor." Nature Biomedical Engineering (2021).pdf
S. Dominguez, L. Ma, H. Yu, G. Pouchelon, C. Mayer, G.D. Spyropoulos, C. Cea, G. Buzsáki, G. Fishell, D. Khodagholy*, J.N. Gelinas*, "A transient postnatal quiescent period precedes emergence of mature cortical dynamics", eLife, (2021) .pdf
Zhao Z, Cea C, Gelinas JN, Khodagholy D* (2021) Responsive manipulation of neural circuit pathology by fully implantable, front-end multiplexed embedded neuroelectronics. PNAS, Vol. 118, No. 20. PDF
Jastrzebska-Perfect P, Chowdhury S, Spyropoulos G, Zhao Z, Cea C, Gelinas JN*, Khodagholy D* (2020) Translational neuroelectronics. Advanced Functional Materials, 1909165. PDF
Jastrzebska-Perfect P, Spyropoulos G, Cea C, Zhao Z, Rauhala O, Viswanathan A, Sheth SA, Gelinas JN*, Khodagholy D* (2020) Mixed-conducting particulate composites for soft electronics. Science Advances, eaaz676. PDF Video
Cea C, Spyropoulos G, Jastrzebska-Perfect P, Gelinas JN*, Khodagholy D (2020) Enhancement mode ion-based transistor – comprehensive interface for in vivo electrophysiology. Nature Materials. PDF Video
Spyropoulos G, Savarin J, Gomez E, Simon D, Berggren M, Gelinas JN, Stavrinidou E, Khodagholy D (2019) Transcranial electrical stimulation and recording of brain activity using freestanding plant-based conducting polymer hydrogel composites. Advanced Materials Technologies, 1900652. PDF
Rauhala O, Dominguez S, Spyropoulos G, Ferrero-Lopez J, Boyers T, Jastrzebska-Perfect P, Cea C, Zhao Z, Khodagholy D, Gelinas JN (2019) Chitosan-based, biocompatible, solution processible films for in vivo localization of neural interface devices. Advanced Materials Technologies, 1900663. PDF
Dahal P, Ghani N, Flinker A, Dugan P, Friedman D, Doyle W, Devinsky O, Khodagholy D, Gelinas JN (2019) Interictal epileptiform discharges shape large-scale intercortical communication, Brain, 0:awz269, https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awz269 PDF
Spyropoulos G, Gelinas J, Khodagholy D (2019). Internal-ion gated organic electrochemical transistor: a building block for integrated bioelectronics. Science Advances, 5:eaau7378. PDF
Nguyen PV, Gelinas JN (2018) Noradrenergic gating of long-lasting synaptic potentiation in the hippocampus: from neurobiology to translational biomedicine. Journal of Neurogenetics, 32:171-182. PDF
Gelinas JN, Baillet S, Bertrand O, Galvan A, Kolling T, Lachauz JP, Lindenberger U, Ribary U, Sawa A, Uhlhaas P (2018) Late adolescence: critical transitions into adulthood; In: Emergent brain dynamics: prebirth to adolescence, edited by A. A. Benasich and U. Ribary. Strüngmann Forum Reports, vol. 25, J. Lupp, series editor. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. PDF
Khodagholy D*, Gelinas JN*, Buzsaki G (2017) Learning-enhanced coupling between ripple oscillations in association cortices and hippocampus. Science 358:369-372. PDF
Gelinas JN, Khodagholy D, Thesen T, Devinsky O, Buzsaki G (2016) Interictal epileptiform discharges induced hippocampal-cortical coupling in temporal lobe epilepsy. Nat Med 22: 641–648. PDF
Khodagholy D*, Gelinas JN*, Zhao Z*, Yeh M, Long M, Greenlee JD, Doyle W, Devinsky O, Buzsáki G (2016) Organic electronics for high-resolution electrocorticography of the human brain. Science Advances 09 Nov 2016: DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.1601027 PDF
Watson BO, Levenstein D, Greene JP, Gelinas JN, Buzsáki G (2016) Network homeostasis and state dynamics of neocortical sleep. Neuron, S0896-6273(16)30056-3. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2016.03.036. PDF
Krook-Magnusson E*, Gelinas JN*, Soltesz I, Buzsaki G (2015) Neuroelectronics and biooptics: closed-loop technologies in neurological disorders. JAMA Neurol 72:823-9. PDF
Khodagholy D, Gelinas JN, Thesen T, Doyle W, Devinsky O, Malliaras G, Buzsaki G (2015) NeuroGrid: recording action potentials from the surface of the brain. Nat Neurosci 18:310-5. PDF
- Developmental neurophysiology
- Epilepsy and cognitive disorders