University of Virginia Health System

γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) mediates inhibitory neurotransmission in the brain and controls the excitability of neurons.  GABA mediates fast inhibitory neurotransmission by activating GABA_A receptors, which are targets of numerous drugs such as sedatives, anesthetics, anticonvulsants and alcohol.  Alterations of GABA_A 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 GABA_A receptor during seizures and characterization of a novel form of inhibition, called tonic inhibition that is mediated by extrasynaptic GABA_A 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.

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