References:
Kumud Kunjilwar. M.D.
Professor
UTHSC, Medical School, (713) 500 - 7481
Kumud.Kunjilwar@uth.tmc.edu
Molecular basis for the effect of hormones and drugs on gene expression
Research involves studying “learning and memory” mechanisms in sensory neurons of Aplysia. Focus is on the nerve/axon of sensory neurons, as we believe that evolutionally learning and memory most likely evolved from the injury of axons. It is generally known that neurons become hyperexcitable after injury to nerve. Earlier we have shown that a brief but focal depolarization (either injecting current or KCl treatment) of the nerve segment induces short, intermediate and long–term hyperexcitability and which are site specific and have memory like symptoms. All memory models assign an important role to Ca2+ ions. Recently we have shown that short, intermediate and long-term can be induced and maintained after the brief nerve depolarization of nerve/axon segment under Ca2+-free condition. Currently we are investigating the signal transduction mechanisms involved in this observed axonal hyperexcitability.
