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Cedric  L.  Williams
Degree(s): Ph.D.
Graduate School: Southern Illinois University
Primary Appointment: Professor of Psychology
Research Interests:
Relationship between emotionally arousing events and their capacity to modulate brain systems that encode new experiences into memory

Email Address: clw3b@virginia.edu
Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program(s)
  • Neuroscience
    • Research Description

    My primary research interests are centered on understanding the relationship between emotionally arousing events and their capacity to modulate brain systems that encode new experiences into memory. A major focus of this research is to delineate the role brainstem nuclei play in this process. They are known to receive synaptic input regarding changes in peripheral autonomic and neuroendocrine states following emotional arousal and also are responsible for conveying this information to brain structures that regulate memory formation. A second but equally important objective of this research is to reveal how brainstem structures that are recipients of this information, affect memory formation by influencing neurotransmitter release in limbic structures such as the amygdala and hippocampus.We use a battery of behavioral learning tasks as well as in vivo microdialysis to identify the types of chemical transmitters that are released in the brain to affect memory storage.

    Selected Publications
  • Kerfoot, E. C., Chatillion, E. & Williams, C. L. (2008). Functional interactions between the nucleus tractus solitarius and nucleus accumbens shell in modulating memory for arousing events. Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, 89, 47-60.
  • Miyashita,T. & Williams, C. L. (2006). Epinephrine Administration Increases Neural Impulses Propagated Along the Vagus Nerve: Role of Peripheral Beta-Adrenergic Receptors. Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, 85, 116-124.
  • Hassert, D.L., Miyashita, T., & Williams, C. L. (2004). The Effects of Peripheral Vagal Nerve Stimulation At A Memory Modulating Intensity on Norepinephrine Output in the Basolateral Amygdala. Behavioral Neuroscience, 118, 79-88.
  • Williams, C. L. and Clayton, E. C. (2001). The contribution of brainstem structures in modulating memory storage processes. In P.E. Gold and W.T. Greenough (Eds.)., MEMORY CONSOLIDATION: Essays in Honor of JAMES L. McGAUGH. American Psychological Association Press.
  • PubMed Listings for this Faculty Member
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    Contact Information
      Office Address: PO Box 400400, Gilmer Hall, 184, 
      Office Phone: +1 434-924-0681, +1 434-243-5470
      Fax Phone: +1 434-982-4785
      Web Site: http:/

    Other Websites for this mentor:
    http://faculty.virginia.edu/behvr-neuro-lab/

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