Projects and Research Interests
I am interested in both the basic physiology and molecular biology of neurons and how networks of neurons underlie behavior and disease. Toward that end, I am using a combination of cellular neurophysiology & pharmacology along with computer modeling and theory to understand neurons that contribute to the execution of voluntary movement and motivation.
- Cellular Physiology of Globus Pallidus Neurons
GABAergic projection neurons that comprise the globus pallidus show uncorrelated activity in healthy primates. In Parkinson's disease a dramatic change occurs and these neurons become phase-locked. I am trying to understand if, and which, intrinsic properties of globus pallidus neurons underlie the emergence of phase-locked activity.
- Mechanisms of Dopaminergic Neuron Bursting
Midbrain dopaminergic neurons fire a high frequency burst of action potentials in response to receiving an unexpected reward. The ionic mechanisms that underlie such activity are not known. What is known is that these neurons can not fire at high frequencies reliably in response to a constant depolarization, like an experimentally applied depolarizing current injection. It has also been suggested that NMDA receptor, but not AMPA receptor, activation is crucial. In collaboration with the lab of Dr. Carlos Paladini, we have been investigating why the NMDA receptor plays such a unique role in generating high frequency bursts.