Researcher

Title

• Associate Professor, Department of Neuroscience, Université de Montréal (2017)

• Research Associate, McGill University, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, (2009 – 2015)
• Postdoctorate, McGill University, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, (2009 – 2015)
• PhD in Neuroscience, Université Pierre et Marie Curie Paris VI (France, 2009)

The brain is a mosaic of different regions each having defined functions. These brain regions communicate together in a complex language to generate behavior. Dr Bénédicte Amilhon’s laboratory studies the neural circuits underlying emotional behavior, with focus on the link between emotions and memory. Memories formed in heavy emotional contexts, either positive or negative, leave a strong imprint in our minds. The Amilhon lab aims to dissect the neuronal networks underlying this modulation of memory formation by emotional state. We are mainly interested in the different projection pathways connecting the raphe nuclei, essential in emotional information processing, and the hippocampus, a key brain region in memory formation. To understand the roles of neurons from the raphe–hippocampus pathways, the Amilhon lab combines techniques such as in vivo and in vitro electrophysiology, optogenetics, calcium imaging and behavioral studies.

Grants

• CIHR Project Grant - Impact of median raphe glutamatergic neurons on hippocampus-dependent memory (2025-2030).
• Brain Canada – Future Leaders in Canadian Brain Research - Sex differences in modulation of serotonergic circuits by the neuropeptide corticotropin releasing factor (2023-2025)
• New Frontiers in Research Funds - Exploration - Thinking outside the (square) box: curved electrodes for deep brain recording and stimulation (2023-2025).En collaboration avec le Dr Fabio Ciccoira.
• Réseau Québecois sur le suicide, les troubles de l’humeur et les troubles associés - Sex differences in the molecular footprint of raphe neurons (2023-2024)
• CIHR Project Grant - Isolating the role of the raphe-ventral hippocampus serotonergic pathway in anxiety (2020-2025).
• NSERC Discovery Grant - The raphe – hippocampus glutamatergic pathway: role in hippocampal rhythms and function (2018-2024)

• Memory
• Emotions
• Serotonin
• Glutamate
• Interneurons
• Oscillations
• In vitro and in vivo electrophysiology
• In vivo calcium imaging
• Behavioral studies

Career Summary

Bénédicte Amilhon obtained her PhD at Université Pierre et Marie Curie Paris VI (France) in 2009. She then joined the laboratory of Pr Sylvain Williams for her postdoc (Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University) where her work has addressed the role of interneurons in generation and modulation of theta rhythm in the hippocampus. Dr Amilhon joined the CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center in 2017.

Awards and Distinctions

• FRQS – Research Scholars Junior 2 program (2023-2026)
• FRQS – Research Scholars Junior 1 program (2018-2022)
• NARSAD Young Investigator Award (2016-2018)
• FRQS – Postoctoral Fellowship (2011-2014)
• Fondation Fyssen (France) – Postoctoral Fellowship (2009-2011)

Presentations

1. Sex-specific modulation of ventral hippocampus rhythms and anxiety by serotonin. Spring Hippocampal Conference, Verone, Italy (May 2025)
2. Subcortical modulation of memory-related hippocampus rhythms. Conférence annuelle de l’Association des Neurosciences Canadiennes, Vancouver (Mai 2024)
3. Subcortical modulation of learning-related hippocampus rhythms. Pucón Learning and AI Summit 2024, Pucón, Chile (April 2024)
4. Serotonergic inputs to the ventral hippocampus underlie sex differences in anxiety. Neuro Paris Seine Seminars, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France (November 2023)
5. Amilhon B. Serotonergic inputs to the ventral hippocampus: role in sex-related differences in anxiety. NMHI seminars, University of Alberta (March 2023)

Publications

1. Lee K.K.Y., Chattopadhyaya B., Fernandes do Nascimento A.S., Moquin L., Rosa-Neto P., Amilhon B.*#, Di Cristo G.*# (2024) Neonatal Hypoxia Impairs Serotonin Release and Cognitive Functions in Adult Mice. Neurobiology of Disease, 193:106465
2. Fortin-Houde J., Henderson F., Dumas S., Ducharme G., Amilhon B.# (2023) Parallel streams of raphe VGLUT3-positive inputs target the dorsal and ventral hippocampus in each hemisphere. Journal of Comparative Neurology, 1–18.
3. Amilhon B.#, Huh C.Y.L., Manseau F., Ducharme G., Nichols H., Adamantidis A., Williams S.# (2015) Parvalbumin interneurons of hippocampus tune population activity at theta frequency. Neuron, 86(5):1277-89
4. Amilhon B.*, Lepicard E.*, Renoir T., Mongeau R., Popa D., Poirel O., Miot S., Gras C., Gardier A.M., Gallego J., Hamon M., Lanfumey L., Gasnier B., Giros B., El Mestikawy S.# (2010) VGLUT3 (vesicular glutamate transporter type 3) contribution to the regulation of serotonergic transmission and anxiety. The Journal of Neuroscience 30(6):2198-210
5. Gras C.*, Amilhon B.*, Lepicard E.M., Poirel O., Vinatier J., Herbin M., Dumas S., Tzavara E.T., Wade M.R., Nomikos G.G., Hanoun N., Saurini F., Kemel M.L., Gasnier B., Giros B., El Mestikawy S.# (2008) The vesicular glutamate transporter VGLUT3 synergizes striatal acetylcholine tone. Nature Neuroscience 11(3):292-300