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Jaideep  Kapur
Degree(s): M.D., Ph.D.
Graduate School: University of Virginia
Primary Appointment: Harrison Distinguished Professor of Neurology
Research Interests:
Pathophysiology of Status Epilepticus and Epilepsy; Plasticity of GABAergic Synaptic Transmission
Email Address: jk8t@virginia.edu
Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program(s)
  • Neuroscience

    • Research Description

    γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) mediates inhibitory neurotransmission in the brain and controls the excitability of neurons.  GABA mediates fast inhibitory neurotransmission by activating GABAA receptors, which are targets of numerous drugs such as sedatives, anesthetics, anticonvulsants and alcohol.  Alterations of GABAA receptor mediated inhibition are believed to play in important role in the pathogenesis of diseases such as epilepsy.  The laboratory is interested in understanding function and plasticity of inhibitory neurotransmission in the central nervous system.  We are particularly interested in alterations in GABA-mediated inhibition that occur in animal models of epilepsy.  Techniques used in the laboratory include EEG, patch clamp electrophysiology, immunohistochemistry, immunocytochemistry, and cellular imaging in collaboration with the Keck imaging center.  Studies are carried out on whole animals, brain slices, and neuronal cultures.  Recent studies have focused on trafficking of GABAA receptor during seizures and characterization of a novel form of inhibition, called tonic inhibition that is mediated by extrasynaptic GABAA receptors. 
    Translational studies focus on novel treatment strategies for prolonged seizures (status epilepticus), which can be life threatening.  These studies also characterize alterations in excitatory neurotransmission during status epilepticus.

    Selected Publications

  • Mtchedlishvili Z and Kapur J High affinity slowly desensitizing GABAA receptors mediate tonic inhibition in dentate granule cells.  Molecular Pharmacology (2006) 69: 564-575.
  • Goodkin HP, Yeh J-L, and Kapur J Status epilepticus increases the intracellular accumulation of GABAA receptors.  Journal of Neuroscience (2005) 25: 5511-5520.
  • Mangan PS, Sun C, Carpenter M, Goodkin HP, Sieghart W and Kapur J Cultured hippocampal pyramidal neurons express two kinds of GABAA receptors. Molecular Pharmacology (2005) 67: 775-788.
  • Yen W, Williamson J, Bertram EH and Kapur J A comparison of 3 NMDA receptor antagonists in the treatment of prolonged status epilepticus. Epilepsy Research (2004) 59: 43-50.
  • PubMed Listings for this Faculty Member

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    Contact Information
      Office Address: PO Box 800394, Department of Neurology, Coob Hall, 2002, 
      Office Phone: +1 434-924-5312
      Fax Phone: +1 434-982-1726
      Home Phone: +1 434-977-0346

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