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Alev  Erisir
Degree(s): M.D., Ph.D.
Graduate School: State University of New York, Stony Brook
Primary Appointment: Assistant Professor of Psychology
Research Interests:
Developmental plasticity; Glutamate and acetylcholine receptors in visual cortex development

Email Address: ae4h@virginia.edu
Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program(s)
  • Neuroscience
    • Research Description

    We are interested in the development and plasticity of visual system. Our present research is concentrated on an early neonatal period in life, before the visual cortex attains its mature structure and function, that is, before lifelong connections among neurons are formed, and adult-type molecular signatures of different circuitries are established. During this period, the brain maintains a remarkable malleability to changes in the environment, such as lack of light, or lack of balanced stimulation through both eyes. By studying the molecules that are in function during this period, we aim to understand plasticity, that is what allows the brain to change, adapt, learn or resist to change in response to alterations in our environment. In particular, we are interested in the changing patterns of glutamate and GABA receptor localization in cells that receive monosynaptic input from developing thalamocortical cells, during, before and after the critical period for ocular dominance formation. We use the techniques, including tract-tracing and immunocytochemisty, to examine temporal sequence of neurotransmitter receptor localization at light and electron microscope resolutions.

    Selected Publications
  • Erisir A and Dreusicke M. 2005 Quantitative morphology and postsynaptic targets of thalamocortical axons in critical period and adult ferret visual cortex. Journal of Comparative Neurology 485:11-31.
  • Nahmani M and Erisir A. 2005 VGLUT2 immunochemistry identifies thalamocortical terminals in layer 4 of adult and developing visual cortex. Journal of Comparative Neurology 484:458-473.
  • Erisir A and Harris JL. 2003. Decline of the critical period of visual plasticity is concurrent with the reduction of NR2B subunit of synaptic NMDA receptor in layer 4. Journal of Neuroscience. 15;23(12):5208-18.
  • Aoki C, Fujisawa S, Mahadomrongkul V, Shah PJ, Nader K and Erisir A. 2003 NMDA receptor blockade in intact adult cortex increases trafficking of NR2A subunits into spines, postsynaptic densities, and axon terminals. Brain Research, 963:139-149.
  • PubMed Listings for this Faculty Member
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    Contact Information
      Office Address: PO Box 400400, Gilmer Hall, 187/079, 
      Office Phone: +1 434-243-3549, +1 434-982-4753
      Fax Phone: +1 434-982-4785

    Other Websites for this mentor:
    http://faculty.virginia.edu/erisirlab/

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