![](https://i.irp.nih.gov/pi/0010034019.jpg)
Research Topics
The goal of the Neurophysiological Pharmacology Section is to elucidate the function of specific neuronal systems in regulating information processing in basal ganglia-thalamocortical networks. The Section interests are currently focused on relationships between dopamine and basal ganglia-thalamocortical system function and dysfunction, especially with respect to movement disorders. Effort is directed toward identifying mechanisms that could be manipulated to prevent, correct, and/or compensate for dysfunction occurring in these systems in disorders such as Parkinson's disease, dyskinesia, Huntington's disease, Tourette's syndrome and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Neurophysiological approaches are utilized to investigate activity in basal ganglia-thalamocortical circuits in normal and abnormal motor states and the potential for modulating basal ganglia- thalamocortical network function with drugs and other interventions, such as deep brain stimulation. An area of current interest is the role of dopamine receptor stimulation in modulation of synchronized and oscillatory neuronal activity in a range of frequencies in the context of basal ganglia-thalamocortical network function and dysfunction. Techniques include in vivo recordings in anesthetized and awake behaving rodent preparations in conjunction with selective lesion, stimulation or drug treatments, and biochemical, behavioral and anatomical measures.
Biography
Selected Publications
- Brazhnik E, Novikov N, McCoy AJ, Ilieva NM, Ghraib MW, Walters JR. Early decreases in cortical mid-gamma peaks coincide with the onset of motor deficits and precede exaggerated beta build-up in rat models for Parkinson's disease. Neurobiol Dis. 2021;155:105393.
- Delaville C, McCoy AJ, Gerber CM, Cruz AV, Walters JR. Subthalamic nucleus activity in the awake hemiparkinsonian rat: relationships with motor and cognitive networks. J Neurosci. 2015;35(17):6918-30.
- Brazhnik E, Novikov N, McCoy AJ, Cruz AV, Walters JR. Functional correlates of exaggerated oscillatory activity in basal ganglia output in hemiparkinsonian rats. Exp Neurol. 2014;261:563-77.
- Brazhnik E, McCoy AJ, Novikov N, Hatch CE, Walters JR. Ventral Medial Thalamic Nucleus Promotes Synchronization of Increased High Beta Oscillatory Activity in the Basal Ganglia-Thalamocortical Network of the Hemiparkinsonian Rat. J Neurosci. 2016;36(15):4196-208.
- Dupre KB, Cruz AV, McCoy AJ, Delaville C, Gerber CM, Eyring KW, Walters JR. Effects of L-dopa priming on cortical high beta and high gamma oscillatory activity in a rodent model of Parkinson's disease. Neurobiol Dis. 2016;86:1-15.
Related Scientific Focus Areas
This page was last updated on Wednesday, November 29, 2023