Undergraduate Institution and Major/Degree:
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Iowa State University, BS, Computer Science
Major Advisor(s):
Research Description:
The amyloid cascade hypothesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) states that overproduction of amyloid beta triggers a series of brain changes that eventually leads to synapse loss and cell death. Before these overt pathologies manifest, however, AD patients and transgenic model animals exhibit symptoms of memory loss. We are testing the hypothesis that a particularly mean form of amyloid beta causes the early symptoms of AD.
This pathogenic species is called Abeta*56 and is a dodecamer of the amyloid beta peptide.
In particular, we are asking whether Abeta*56 is an antagonist of NMDA receptors. Other studies have established that amyloid beta oligomers can inhibit long-term potentiation (LTP), which could explain the memory loss that occurs early in the disease course. If we identify the responsible oligomer and its mechanism of action, then new therapies can selectively target this oligomer.
Lab Rotations:
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Eric Newman
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David Redish
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Mark Thomas
Courses Taken Beyond the Core Courses:
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EEB 8990
- NSC 5201
- NSC 5202
- PHCL 5110
- PSY 8960
Conferences Attended:
- Society for Neuroscience annual meeting - Fall 2003. 2004, 2006
Committee Members:
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Bob Miller (chair)
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Karen Ashe
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Mark Thomas
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Jan Dubinsky
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Eric Newman (advisor)
Selected Publications and Presentations:
Publications:
- Redish AD, Kurth-Nelson Z (in press) "Neural models of temporal discounting" in Impulsivity: Theory, Science, and Neuroscience of Discounting G. Madden, W. Bickel, T. Critchfield (eds). APA books.
- Redish AD, Jensen S, Johnson A, Kurth-Nelson Z (2007) Reconciling reinforcement learning models with behavioral extinction and renewal:
implications for addiction, relapse, and problem gambling. Psychological Review 114:784.
Abstracts:
Awards and Honors:
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NSF IGERT Fellowship, 2003-2005
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NIH NPCS Fellowship, 2005
Professional Memberships:
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