ISHII Toshiaki Professor

My DreamElucidation of higher brain functions and development of drugs for cerebral neurodegenerative diseases

ThemeI work on elucidating the physiological development of the brain and nervous system and the pathogenic mechanisms of cerebral neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. I use mice, rats and other experimental animals and cultured nerve cells to study using pharmacology, biochemistry, molecular biology, morphology and other methods.

Field

Neuroscience, Pharmacology, Biiochemistry, Molecular biology, Neurochemistry, Clanial nerve phisiology

Keyword

Parkinson disease, Dementia, Fixation and removal of memory, Feeding instinct, Depression, Fear memory, Growth of brain in weaning period, Plasticity of nerve, Hippocampus, Neurogenesis, Mouse
  • Pharmacology Laboratory
Academic degree Ph.D. Agr.
License Veterinarian
Self introduction

I was born in Kobe City and graduated from Kobe High School. One of my hobbies is the study, appreciation and appraisal of Japanese swords (as the Head of the Obihiro Branch of the Society for the Preservation of Japanese Art Swords, and as a member of the Hokkaido Firearms and Swords Licensing Screening Committee). Another is Ashihara karate (as the leader of the Obihiro Branch of the Ashihara Kaikan). Yet others are throwing-star practice (hibachi type), birding and bird photography, jodo, and motor biking.

Room addressGeneral Research Building 1
Mail address ishii atmark obihiro.ac.jp

Belongs

Research Department/Department of Veterinary Medicine/Division of Veterinary Sciences/Section of Physiology and PharmacologyDiagnostic Center for Animal Health and Food Safety/Director General

Introduction

I mainly work on elucidating the physiological development of the brain and central nervous system and the pathogenic mechanisms of cerebral neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. For the above, I use mice, rats and other experimental animals, and cultured nerve cells, and I work to develop treatment methods. Regarding cerebral physiology, I focus on the brains of mammal infants in the weaning period, which is when they grow rapidly in a short period of time. I conduct research to elucidate the molecular mechanisms behind the development of the feeding instinct that becomes apparent after weaning (the innate ability to change from the passive diet behavior of suckling during the mother's lactation period to the spontaneous dietary behavior of finding and obtaining food independently) and behind the acquisition of nocturnal behavior (the completion of nocturnal daily rhythm indicated by adult animals). Concerning brain disorders, I work to elucidate the pathogenic mechanisms seen in cognitive disorders that feature in Parkinson's disease and to develop treatments for those disorders.

Academic background 1985: School of Agriculture, Osaka Prefecture University (Graduated)
1987: Graduate School of Agriculture, Osaka Prefecture University (Completed Master's Degree)
1987-1991: Researcher, ONO PHARMACEUTICAL CO., LTD.
1991-1992: Research Associate, School of Medicine, University of Virginia
1992-1994: Postdoctoral Fellow, Biotechnology Center, Ohio State University
1994-1998: Research Fellow, School of Agriculture, Osaka Prefecture University
1995-1998: Concurrent Research Fellow, Research Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, Osaka Prefecture University
1999-2008: Associate Professor, School of Agriculture and Animal Science, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine
1999-present: Adviser, Doctoral Course of the United Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Gifu University
2008-present: Professor, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine