Martin Clark - Academic Staff

Martin teaches across a range of the neuroscience modules in the Psychology department and is one of the core team members on the Neuroscience undergraduate degree. He has a particular interest in electrophysiological recording methods and has published work investigating the role of neurotransmitters, such as dopamine in modulating the neuronal activity of the basal ganglia. He is particularly interested in how these responses are altered in animal models of disorder, such as ASD and depression. Martin was awarded the early career rising star award in recognition of his research engagement.

Martin has published the following: Clark, M. and Bracci, E (2018). "Dichotomous Dopaminergic Control of Ventral Pallidum Neurons." Front Cell Neurosci 12: 260. Clark, M and Bracci, E (2019) Serotonergic modulation of the ventral pallidum by 5HT1A, 5HT5A, 5HT7 AND 5HT2C receptors. Brain and neuroscience advances, 3 . pp. 229-230.

Martin completed his undergraduate and postgraduate studies at the University of Sheffield, obtaining an undergraduate degree in Psychology in 2005 and a Master’s degree in Psychological Research Methods in 2015. Martin also spent eight years working as an A level Psychology teacher and examiner, developing and delivering content on a variety of Psychological topics, such as: Biopsychology, Sports Psychology and Forensic Psychology . Martin completed a PhD in the laboratory of Dr. Enrico Bracci at the University of Sheffield in 2018, where he developed techniques to investigate output of the basal ganglia using multi-electrode array technology. His PhD examined the extrinsic modulation of ventral pallidum neurons by dopamine and serotonin, parts of which were published in the journal Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience. In 2020 Martin has established collaborative projects with the University of Sheffield, focused on the role of interneurons in animal models of Autistic spectrum disorder, repetitive behaviours and Epilepsy. In 2020, Martin has also established projects between faculties at the University of Central Lancashire, collaborating with both Dr Inma Gonzalez-Gonzalez and Dr Lorenzo More in the faculty of Pharmacy and biomedical sciences. These projects are currently recruiting postgraduate students for potential Masters and PhDs.

Qualifications

Awards

Areas of Interest / Expertise

Martin, and his postgraduate students, are currently investigating electrophysiological activity in the basal ganglia and neuronal response to neurotransmitters in animals models of disease, including animal models of: Depression, Autistic spectrum disorder and Frontotemporal dementia. He is particularly interested in the role the alterations in excitatory/inhibitory balance in the basal ganglia might play in these disease states, with a specific focus on the Globus Pallidus and Ventral Pallidum.

External Affiliations / Memberships

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Research Group Memberships

Research Projects

Martin's research projects, at the University of Central Lancashire, currently focus on employing multi-electrode array recording techniques to measure the electrophysiological activity of brain slices in vitro. Current projects are focused on the alterations in neuronal activity in animal models of disorders, including Frontotemporal Dementia, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Epilepsy and depression.
Martin is also involved in a collaborative project with the University of Sheffield, focused on the role of interneurons in animal models of Epilepsy and Autistic Spectrum Disorder. This project is particularly interested in unpacking the role that alterations in E/I balance play in disease states, such as Epilepsy and ASD.

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Dr Martin Clark