We study the molecular, cellular and neural network mechanisms responsible for disorders of membrane excitability and synaptic transmission in the central nervous system. Our current research focuses on how these neural properties are disrupted to produce epilepsy, autism, sleep disorders, and obesity.
Our team applies state-of-the-art experimental techniques to study these complex mechanisms. These include the production of genetically engineered mice to target inherited neurologic disease genes to specific neuronal or glial cell-types to identify the cellular locus of disease. We employ methods such as EEG and EMG recording to measure the behavioral disorders of epilepsy and sleep in mice. To measure defects in single neurons and local circuits, including synaptic and firing properties, we use whole-cell, patch-clamp electrophysiology recording techniques in the acute brain slice from adult mice. We are actively recording now from the thalamus, cortex, and hippocampus.
Kasten MR, Rudy B, Anderson MP. Differential regulation of action potential firing in adult murine thalamocortical neurons by Kv3.2, Kv1, and SK potassium and N-type calcium channels. J. Physiology. 2007;584:565-582.
Anderson MP, Mochizuki T, Xie J, Fischler W, Manger JP, Talley EM, Scammell TE, Tonegawa S. Thalamic Cav3.1 T-type calcium channel plays a crucial role in stabilizing sleep. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2005;102(5):1743-1748.
Anderson MP, Welsh MJ. Regulation by ATP and ADP of CFTR chloride channels that contain mutant nucleotide-binding domains. Science. 1992;257(5077):1701-4.
Anderson MP, Gregory RJ, Thompson S, Souza DW, Paul S, Mulligan RC, Smith AE, Welsh MJ. Demonstration that CFTR is a chloride channel by alteration of its anion selectivity. Science. 1991; 253(5016):202-5.
Anderson MP, Berger HA, Rich DP, Gregory RJ, Smith AE, Welsh MJ. Nucleoside triphosphates are required to open the CFTR chloride channel. Cell. 1991; 67(4):775-84.
External Recognition:
Major Awards
Independent Scientist Award , National Institutes of Neurological Disease and Stroke (2006)
Career Award in the Biomedical Sciences, Burroughs Wellcome Fund (2000)
Research Career Development Award, National Institutes of Health (2000)
HHMI Research Fellowship for Physicians Award, Howard Hughes Medical Institute (1997)
International Distinguished Dissertation Award, Council of Graduate Schools (1993)
D. C. Spriesterback Dissertation Award, University of Iowa (1993)
Edward C. Heath Research Award, University of Iowa College of Medicine (1991, 1992)
Proctor & Gamble Professional Opportunity Award, American Physiologic Society (1990)
Invited Presentations
1990-Regulation of apical membrane chloride channels in airway epithelia by cAMP-dependent protein kinase and protein kinase C, Lovelace Medical Foundation Annual Scientific Conference, Albuquerque (NM)Invited Lecture
1991-Function of CFTR, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Conference, Williamsburg (VA)Invited Lecture
1991-Regulation between CFTR and chloride channels, Fifth Annual North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference, Dallas (TX)Invited Lecture
1992-ATP and ADP regulation of the CFTR Cl- channel containing mutant nucleotide binding domains, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Conference, Williamsburg (VA)Plenary Presentation
2004-Region-Restricted Knockout of T-type Calcium Channel Cav3.1: Subcortical Neuron Bursts Stablize NREM Sleep, Associated Professional Sleep Societies, Philadelphia (PA)Invited Lecture
2005-Silencing Neurons To Enable Sleep: Functions of the Thalamic T-type Ca2 Channel, Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor (ME)Invited Lecture
2005-Silencing Neurons During Pain and Sleep: Functions of the Thalamic T-type Ca2 Channel, University of Iowa, Department of Pharmacology, Iowa City (IA)Invited Lecture
2006-Auditory Thalamus Neuron Defects in a Mouse Model of Human Autosomal Dominant Lateral Temporal Lobe Epilepsy, The CURE (Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy)Plenary Presentation
2006-Investigator's Workshop: Experimental Models in Human Epileptogenesis and Therapy, American Epilepsy SocietyInvited Chair and Lecturer
2006-Engineering The Mouse Nervous System To Decipher The Mechanisms Of Human Epilepsy, American Epilepsy SocietyPlenary Presentation
2007-Effects of the Human Autosomal Dominant Lateral Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Gene LGI1 on the Hippocampal Dentate Gyrus, at the Curing Epilepsy 2007 Junior Investigator Program , National Institutes of Neurological Diseases and Strokes, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MarylandInvited Presentation
2007-Models of Autism Pathogenesis, MIND Institute, Symposium on Human Brain Development, Albuquerque, New MexicoInvited Lecture
Major Collaborative Activities:
Collaborations with Jeff Flier's lab to investigate neurogenesis in the adult hypothalamus.
Collaborations with Jeff Flier and Jeff Macklis lab to investigate the functional incorporation and functional rescue of neural circuit defects using neural stem cell transplants.
Collaborations with the labs of Jeff Flier and Brad Lowell to investigate the behavior of hypothalamic neurons involved in energy homeostasis in awake behaving mice during feeding, starvation, and reward-motivated behaviors.
