Physiology

BRET N. SMITH, Ph.D. Director of Graduate Studies Dr. Thomas L. Skinner Professor Ph.D. University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 1992 Office: MS-607 Medical Center 0298 Tel: (859) 323-4840 E-mail: bret.smith@uky.edu Curriculum Vita (pdf)

Neuronal Interactions in the Mammalian Brain.  Research in this laboratory is aimed at understanding the mechanisms underlying functional synaptic connectivity, modulation, and plasticity of neuronal systems. Using whole-cell electrophysiological techniques in acute slice preparations combined with immunochemical, histochemical, behavioral, neuropharmacological, and molecular biological methods, we are conducting studies to determine how modulation of synaptic function in brainstem autonomic control centers regulates visceral sensory-motor integration as well as how neural circuit organization and remodeling contribute to development of epilepsy. The specific areas of study are:

1. Synaptic organization of neurons regulating autonomic function -

Synaptic plasticity of brain systems controlling visceral/autonomic functions in metabolic disorders

2. Synaptic reorganization in the epileptic brain -

Synaptic reorganization and modulation in temporal lobe epilepsy

Selected Recent Publications:

Hunt, R.F., Scheff, S.W., and Smith, B.N. (2009) Posttraumatic epilepsy after controlled cortical impact injury in mice. Exp. Neurol. 215(2):243-52.

Bhaskaran, M.D. and Smith, B.N. (2010) Cannabinoid modulation of excitability in the dentate gyrus of pilocarpine-treated epileptic mice.  PLoS ONE. 5:e10683 (1-10).

Gao, H. and Smith, B.N. (2010) Tonic GABA-mediated inhibition in the rat dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus.  J. Neurophysiol. 103:904-14.

Hunt, R.F., Scheff, S.W., and Smith, B.N. (2010) Regionally localized recurrent excitation in the dentate gyrus of a cortical contusion model of posttraumatic epilepsy. J. Neurophysiol. 103:1490-1500.

Hunt, R.F., Scheff, S.W., and Smith, B.N. (2011) Increased local excitatory input to hilar GABAergic interneurons accompanies reduced synaptic inhibition of granule cells after traumatic brain injury. J. Neuroscience 31:6880-6890.

Zsombok, A., Bhaskaran, M.D., Gao, H., Derbenev, A.V., and Smith, B.N.  (2011) Functional plasticity of central TRPV1 Receptors in brainstem dorsal vagal complex circuits of streptozotocin-treated hyperglycemic mice. J. Neuroscience 31:14024-31.

Bach, E.C. and Smith, B.N. (2012) Presynaptic NMDA receptor-mediated modulation of excitatory neurotransmission in the mouse dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus.  J. Neurophysiol. In press. PMID:22696534

Hunt, R.F., Haselhorst, L.A., Schoch, K.M., Bach, E.C., Rios-Pilier, J., Scheff, S.W., Saatman, K.E., and Smith, B.N.  (2012) Posttraumatic mossy fiber sprouting is related to the degree of cortical damage in three mouse strains. Epilepsy Res. 99:167-170.

Other Publications