Program in Sensory and Systems Neuroscience
Primary Research Areas
Development and Plasticity of Olfactory Receptors and the Olfactory Bulb
Development and Plasticity in Visual Cortex
Psychoneuroimmunology; Sensory Signaling and Behavioral Manifestations of Infectious Disease
Physiology, Development and Plasticity of Central Taste Pathways
Sensory Coding, Learning and Plasticity in Higher-Order Cortical Areas
Neurobiology of Memory and the Role of Emotional Arousal in Learning
Development and Plasticity of Olfactory Receptors and the Olfactory Bulb
Dr. Peter C. Brunjes
We are primarily involved in exploring the development of the central nervous system. Current research falls into several categories. In one, we are examining the role that function plays in guiding proper brain maturation. In a second, we are examining growth in diverse species in order to understand general properties of early neural development and brain organization. Homepage
Recent publications:
Mirich, J.M., Illig, K.R. and Brunjes, P.C. (2004) Experience-dependent activation of extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK) in the olfactory bulb. The Journal of Comparative Neurology, 479: 234-241.
Byrd CA, Brunjes PC. Neurogenesis in the olfactory bulb of adult zebrafish.
Neuroscience. 2001;105(4):793-801.
Fiske BK, Brunjes PC. NMDA receptor regulation of cell death in the rat olfactory bulb.
J Neurobiol. 2001 Jun 5;47(3):223-32.
Mirich JM, Brunjes PC. Activity modulates neuronal proliferation in the developing olfactory epithelium. Brain Res Dev Brain Res. 2001 Mar 29;127(1):77-80.
Fiske BK, Brunjes PC. Cell death in the developing and sensory-deprived rat olfactory bulb.
J Comp Neurol. 2001 Mar 12;431(3):311-9.
Couper Leo, J. M., Devine A. M., and Brunjes P. C. Focal denervation alters cellular phenotypes and survival in the developing rat olfactory bulb. Journal of Comparative Neurology. 417, 325-336, 2000
Wilson, D. A., Best, A. R., and Brunjes, P. C. Trans-neuronal modification of anterior piriform cortical circuitry in the rat. Brain Research 853, 317-322, 2000
Poling, K. R., and Brunjes, P. C., Sensory deafferentation and olfactory bulb morphology in the zebrafish and related species. Brain Research, 21, 135-141, 2000
Fiske, B. K., and Brunjes, P. C. Microglia activation and the developing rat olfactory bulb. Neuroscience 96, 807-815, 2000.
Couper Leo, J. M., and Brunjes P. C. Focal denervation alters cellular phenotypes and survival in the developing rat olfactory bulb: developmental analysis. J. Comp. Neurol.425, 409-421, 2000.
Development and Plasticity in Visual Cortex
Dr. Alev Erisir
My primary interest is the development and the plasticity of visual system. Our experiments are concentrated on an early neonatal period in life, when the brain maintains a remarkable malleability to changes in the environment, such as lack of light or unbalanced 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. We use tract-tracing and immunocytochemisty techniques to examine temporal sequence of
neurotransmitter receptor localization in the thalamocortical recipient cortex layers, at light and electron microscope resolutions.
Recent Publications:
Erisir A, Levey AI, Aoki C. Muscarinic receptor M(2) in cat visual cortex: laminar distribution, relationship to gamma-aminobutyric acidergic neurons, and effect of cingulate lesions. J Comp Neurol. 2001 Dec 10;441(2):168-85.
Wang S, Bickford ME, Van Horn SC, Erisir A, Godwin DW, Sherman SM. Synaptic targets of thalamic reticular nucleus terminals in the visual thalamus of the cat. J Comp Neurol. 2001 Nov 26;440(4):321-41.
Bickford ME, Ramcharan E, Godwin DW, Erisir A, Gnadt J and Sherman SM. 2000. Neurotransmitters Contained in the Subcortical Extraretinal Inputs to the Monkey Lateral Geniculate Nucleus. J Comparative Neurology 424:704-717.
VanHorn S, Erisir A, Sherman SM 2000. The relative distribution of synapses in the A-laminae of the lateral geniculate nucleus of the cat. J Comparative Neurology 416:509-520.
Erisir A, D Lau, B Rudy and C S Leonard. 1999. Specific K+ channels are required to sustain high frequency firing in fast-spiking neocortical interneurons. J. Neurophysiology 82:2476-2489.
Chow A, Erisir A, Farb C, Nadal MS, Ozaita A, Lau D Welker E and Rudy B. 1999. Kv3.1 and Kv3.2 proteins distinguish three subpopulations of GABAergic interneurons in the mouse cortex. J Neuroscience 19(21):9932-9345.
Erisir A and Aoki C. 1998. A method of combining biocytin tract-tracing with avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex immunocytochemistry. J Neuroscience Methods. 18:189-197.
Erisir A, Van Horn S C, and Sherman S M. 1998. Distribution of synapses in the lateral geniculate nucleus of the cat: differences between laminae A and A1and between relay cells and interneurons. J Comparative Neurology, 390:24-255.
Erisir A, Van Horn S C, and Sherman S M. 1997 Relative numbers of cortical and brainstem inputs to the LGN. Proc.Natl.Acad.Sci.U.S.A. 94(4):1517-1520.
Erisir A, Van Horn S C, Bickford M E and Sherman S M, 1997. Immunocytochemistry and distribution of parabrachial terminals in the lateral geniculate nucleus of the cat; A comparison with corticogeniculate terminals. J.Comp.Neurol. 377(4):535-549.
Psychoneuroimmunology; Behavioral Manifestations of Infectious Disease
Dr. Lisa Goehler and Dr. Ronald Gaykema
Our research interests include psychoneuroimmunology, immunosensation, and organizational features of autonomic sensory systems. Work in the lab has a focus on elucidating the neural pathways activated by immune challenges and the behavioral alternations caused by infectious diseases. The techniques we deploy include immunohistochemistry and multiple behavioral tests. Homepage
Recent Publications:
Gaykema, R.P.A., Wright, B., Goehler, L.E., Maier, S.F., Watkins, L.R., Rodriguez, J.L., & Lyte, M. Subclinical bacterial infection activates central neural populations in mice. Soc. Neurosci. Abstr., 26, 2000.
Goehler, L.E., Gaykema, R.P.A., Maier, S.F., & Watkins, L.R. Vagal afferents innervate deep cervical and iliac lymph nodes in the rat. Soc. Neurosci Abstr., 26, 2000.
Goehler, L.E., Erisir, A., Chen, C.-C., & Gaykema, R.P.A., Neural-immune interface in the area postrema: Ultrastructural evidence for functional interactions between neurons and dendritic cells. Brain, Behavior & Immunity, 16:185, 2002.
Hansen, M.K., Daniels, S., Goehler, L.E., Gaykema, R.P.A., Maier, S.F., & Watkins, L.R., Subdiaphragmatic vagotomy does not block intraperitoneal LPS-induced fever. FASEB Proceedings, 2000.
Hansen, M.K., Nguyen, K.T., Goehler, L.E., Gaykema, R.P.A., Fleshner, M., Maier, S.F., & Watkins, L.R., Effects of vagotomy on LPS-induced brain interleukin-1 beta protein in rats. FASEB Proceedings, 2000.
Gaykema, R.P.A., Goehler, L.E., Hansen, M.K., Taylor, M., Maier, S,F., & Watkins, L.R.,Subdiaphragmatic vagotomy blocks interleukin-1-induced fever without affecting increased circulating levels of this cytokine. FASEB Proceedings, 2000.
Hinde, J.L., Moraska, A., Nickerson, M., Gaykema, R.P.A., Enoka, R.M., Fleshner, M. Physical activity modulates the stress reactive neurocircuitry as measured by Fos. Society for Neuroscience Abstracts 25:700, 1999.
Hansen, M.K., Nguyen, K.T., Fleshner, M., Goehler, L.E., Gaykema, R.P.A., Maier, S.F., & Watkins, L.R., IL-1b protein and IL-1b, IL-1 receptor type 1, and IL-1 receptor accessory protein mRNA are present in normal brain and are modulated by LPS. Society for Neuroscience Abstracts 25:1446, 1999.
Khorsand, J.L., Goehler, L.E., Gaykema, R.P.A., Spencer, R.L., Tilders, F.J.H., Maier, S.F., & Watkins, L.R. Intraperitoneal staphyococcus enterotoxin B (SEB) induces interleukin-1 in immune cells within the abdominal vagus nerve in rats, Society for Neuroscience Abstracts, 25:1447, 1999.
Goehler, L.E., Gaykema, R.P.A., Kleiner, J., Hinde, J.L., Hansen, M.K., Maier, S.F. & Watkins, L. R. Intraperitoneal staphylococcus enterotoxin B (SEB) causes fever and serum corticosterone elevation in rats. Society for Neuroscience Abstracts, 25,:1447, 1999.
Gaykema, R.P.A., Goehler, L.E., Hansen, M.K., Kleiner, J., Maier, S.F., & Watkins, L.R. Subdiaphragmatic vagotomy blocks interleukin-1 induced fever even in the presence of circulating interleukin-1b. Society for Neuroscience Abstracts, 25:1447, 1999.
Watkins, L., Milligan E., Nguyen, K., Hansen, M., Gaykema, R., Lee, J., Xue D., & Maier, S. gp120 from human immunodeficiency virus-1 induces exaggerated pain via glial activation and interleukin-1 release in spinal cords of rats. Psychoneuroimmunology Research Society Meeting, Neuroimmunomodulation, 6:254, 1999.
Gaykema, R.P.A., Erisir, A., Chen, C.-C., & Goehler, L.E., Ultrastructural features support a dynamic interaction between immune and neural cells in the area postrema. Society for Neuroscience Abstracts, 28: 2002.
Goehler LE, Gaykema RP, Hansen MK, Kleiner JL, Maier SF, Watkins LR. Staphylococcal enterotoxin B induces fever, brain c-Fos expression, and serum corticosterone in rats. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2001 May;280(5):R1434-9.
Hansen MK, O'Connor KA, Goehler LE, Watkins LR, Maier SF. The contribution of the vagus nerve in interleukin-1beta-induced fever is dependent on dose. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2001 Apr;280(4):R929-34.
Hansen MK, Daniels S, Goehler LE, Gaykema RP, Maier SF, Watkins LR. Subdiaphragmatic vagotomy does not block intraperitoneal lipopolysaccharide-induced fever. Auton Neurosci. 2000 Dec 20;85(1-3):83-7.
Gaykema RP, Goehler LE, Hansen MK, Maier SF, Watkins LR. Subdiaphragmatic vagotomy blocks interleukin-1beta-induced fever but does not reduce IL-1beta levels in the circulation. Auton Neurosci. 2000 Dec 20;85(1-3):72-7.
Goehler LE, Gaykema RP, Hansen MK, Anderson K, Maier SF, Watkins LR. Vagal immune-to-brain communication: a visceral chemosensory pathway. Auton Neurosci. 2000 Dec 20;85(1-3):49-59. Review.
Hansen MK, Nguyen KT, Goehler LE, Gaykema RP, Fleshner M, Maier SF, Watkins LR. Effects of vagotomy on lipopolysaccharide-induced brain interleukin-1beta protein in rats.
Auton Neurosci. 2000 Dec 20;85(1-3):119-26.
Van Dam AM, Bol JG, Gaykema RP, Goehler LE, Maier SF, Watkins LR, Tilders FJ. Vagotomy does not inhibit high dose lipopolysaccharide-induced interleukin-1beta immunoreactivity in rat brain and pituitary gland. Neurosci Lett. 2000 May 19;285(3):169-72.
Hansen MK, Nguyen KT, Fleshner M, Goehler LE, Gaykema RP, Maier SF, Watkins LR. Effects of vagotomy on serum endotoxin, cytokines, and corticosterone after intraperitoneal lipopolysaccharide. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2000 Feb;278(2):R331-6.
Back to Research Topics
Physiology, Development and Plasticity of Central Taste Pathways
Dr. David L. Hill
Research focuses on the neurophysiological and behavioral development of the sense of taste. Current studies examine maturational events specific to peripheral receptor cells and central nervous system neurons, the effects of early taste experience on neurophysiological and behavioral responses and the interactions among visceral and gustatory afferent discharges in the developing brainstem. Homepage
Recent publications:
Sollars SI, Smith PC, Hill DL. Time course of morphological alterations of fungiform papillae and taste buds following chorda tympani transection in neonatal rats. J Neurobiol. 2002 Jun 5;51(3):223-36.
Sollars SI, Hill DL. Lack of functional and morphological susceptibility of the greater superficial petrosal nerve to developmental dietary sodium restriction. Chem Senses. 2000 Dec;25(6):719-27.
Back to Research Topics
Sensory Coding, Learning and Plasticity in Higher-Order Cortical Areas
Dr. Kurt R. Illig
My over-arching research interest is in cortical structures, particularly how plasticity at various stages of development shapes the function of these structures (development of networks, changes in these networks with learning, compensation following injury). To gain insight into these issues, I explore how sensory systems code information about the world and how the codes change with various experiences. My current research focuses on understanding how odors are encoded in olfactory cortical structures: how the olfactory code emerges in development, and how it changes with learning. I employ methods such as in situ hybridization, immunocytochemistry, single-unit physiology, and behavioral tasks. My long-term goal is to incorporate what we learn about olfactory cortex into a general portrait of the role of cortical function and plasticity in sensory processing. Homepage
Recent publications:
Illig, K.R (2005). Projections from orbitofrontal cortex to piriform cortex in the rat suggest a modulatory role in olfactory information processing. The Journal of Comparative Neurology, 488: 224-231.
Mirich, J.M., Illig, K.R. and Brunjes, P.C. (2004) Experience-dependent activation of extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK) in the olfactory bulb. The Journal of Comparative Neurology, 479: 234-241.
Illig, K.R. and Haberly, L.B. (2003). Odor-evoked activity is spatially distributed in piriform cortex. The Journal of Comparative Neurology, 457: 361-373
Ekstrand, J.J., Domroese, M.E., Feig, S.L., Illig, K.R. and Haberly, L.B. (2001) Immunocytochemical analysis of basket cells in rat piriform cortex. The Journal of Comparative Neurology, 434: 308-328.
Johnson, D.M.G., Illig, K.R., Behan, M. and Haberly, L.B. (2000) New features of connectivity in piriform cortex visualized by intracellular injection of pyramidal cells suggest that “primary” olfactory cortex functions like “association” cortex in other sensory systems. The Journal of Neuroscience, 20: 6974-6982.
Illig, K.R., Danilov, Y.P., Ahmad, A., Kim, C.B.Y. and Spear, P.D. (2000) Functional plasticity in extrastriate visual cortex following neonatal visual cortex damage and monocular enucleation. Brain Research, 882: 241-250.
Illig, K.R., King, V.R. and Spear, P.D. (1998) Monocular enucleation prevents retinal ganglion cell loss following early visual cortex lesions in cats. Visual Neuroscience 15: 1097-1105.
Neurobiology of Memory and the Role of Emotional Arousal in Learning
Dr. Cedric L. Williams
Primary research interests in the neurobiological basis of memory. Currently examining the relationship between emotionally arousing events and their capacity to modulate brain systems that encode experiences into memory. Other research interests include understanding the role of brainstem nuclei in receiving inputs regarding changes in peripheral autonomic and neuroendocrine states and conveying this information to limbic system structures that regulate memory formation. Homepage
Recent publications:
Miyashita, T. and Williams, C. L. (2002). Glutamatergic transmission in the nucleus of the solitary tract modulates memory through influences on amygdala noradrenergic systems. Behavioral Neuroscience, 116, 13-21
Clayton, E. C. and Williams, C. L. (2000). Noradrenergic receptor blockade of the NTS attenuates the mnemonic effects of epinephrine in an appetitive light-dark discrimination learning task. Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, 74, 135-145.
Clayton, E. C. and Williams, C. L. (2000). Glutamatergic Influences on the Nucleus Paragigantocellularis: Contribution to Performance in Avoidance and Spatial Memory Tasks. Behavioral Neuroscience, 114, 707-712.
Williams, C. L., Men, D., and Clayton, E. C. (2000). The effects of noradrenergic activation of the nucleus tractus solitarius on memory and in potentiating norepinephrine release in the amygdala. Behavioral Neuroscience, 114, 1131-1144.
Clayton, E. C. and Williams, C. L. (2000). Adrenergic activation of the nucleus tractus solitarius potentiates amygdala norepinephrine release and enhances retention performance in emotionally-arousing and spatial memory tasks. Behavioural Brain Research, 112, 151-158.
Roozendaal, B., Williams, C. L., and McGaugh, J. L. (1999). Glucocorticoid receptor activation in the rat nucleus of the solitary tract facilitates memory consolidation: Involvement of the basolateral amygdala. European Journal of Neuroscience, 11, 1317-1323.
Clayton, E. C. and Williams, C. L. (2000). Posttraining inactivation of excitatory afferent input to the locus coeruleus impairs retention in an inhibitory avoidance learning task. Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, 73, 127-140.
Williams, C. L., Men, D., Clayton, E. C., and Gold, P. E. (1998). Norepinephrine release in the amygdala following systemic injection of epinephrine or escapable footshock: contribution of the nucleus of the solitary tract. Behavioral Neuroscience, 112, 1414-1422.
Suggestions for website construction, please email kri4n@virginia.edu
This Website was built in February, 2004. All rights reserved.