Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine

Alzheimer's Disease Seminar Series

Geoffrey G. Murphy, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Department of Physiology
Research Professor, MBNI, The Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience Institute
University of Michigan

"The role of L-type Calcium Channels in Memory and Cognitive Aging"

Abstract:
Of the many signaling pathways found within the central nervous system, calcium signaling is perhaps the most ubiquitous and versatile.  Calcium plays a key role in exocytosis, activation and regulation of gene transcription and photo-transduction. In addition, calcium regulates neuronal excitability and is also a critical constituent of multiple forms of synaptic plasticity, both of which are mechanisms considered to be cellular substrates of higher cognitive functions such as learning and memory. Therefore, it is not surprising that alterations in calcium homeostasis result in a wide variety of pathologies.  Importantly, dysregulation of calcium homeostasis is thought to play a key role in age-related learning and memory impairments as well as Alzheimer’s disease.  One major source of calcium entry into neurons is through voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs), which are multi-subunit membrane complexes that are activated upon membrane depolarization.  My talk will focus on one specific class of VGCCs: the L-type calcium channels.  Using transgenic mouse models we have begun to explore the role that these channels play in learning and memory in young and aged animals.

Bio:
For the majority of my scientific career I have focused on the neuronal substrates of learning and memory.  As an undergraduate researcher in the laboratory of Dr. Mark Rosenzweig, at The University of California, Berkeley I used a traditional behavioral pharmacological approach to investigate the different phases of memory consolidation. During my doctoral research with Dr. David Glanzman at University of California at Los Angeles, I pursued questions regarding synaptic plasticity and associative learning using a “simple systems” approach, and classic techniques in neurophysiology.  After completing my Ph.D., I joined the laboratory of Dr. Alcino Silva, where I learned how to address questions regarding learning and memory using the power of molecular genetics.  During my postdoctoral fellowship I expanded my skills as a behavioral neuroscientist and electrophysiologist while learning how to make and use transgenic mice.  As a postdoctoral fellow my primary research interests were centered upon ion channel function and its role in neuronal excitability, synaptic plasticity and learning & memory and aging.  In the fall of 2003, I joined the faculty at The University of Michigan, where I have a joint appointment in the Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience Institute (MBNI) and the Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology.  My group is currently working on questions regarding the relative roles that specific ion channels play in regulating neuronal function and behavior.

Geoff Murphy's webpage: http://www.mbni.med.umich.edu/mbni/faculty/murphy/murphy.html

For more information about the seminar, please contact the CNADC at CNADC-Admin@northwestern.edu

See our website to view 2007 Alzheimer's Disease Seminar Series Schedule
 http://www.brain.northwestern.edu/events/future_seminars.html 

Educational Support Provided by:Forest Pharmaceuticals

Participants will gain understanding of current clinical  and basic science Alzheimer's research and increase their base of information  in cognitive neuroscience.

The  Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine is accredited for the  Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing  medical education for physicians.  Northwestern University, Feinberg  School of Medicine Division of Continuing Medical Education designates this  educational activity for a maximum of 1 category 1 credits toward the AMA  Physician's Recognition Award. Each physician should claim only those credits  that he/she actually spent in the educational activity.