TBI ELEVATIONS IN INTRACELLULAR CALCIUM CONCENTRATIONS BY NMDA RECEPTORS

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This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Preliminary data indicate that the GABA-A receptor is altered following experimental traumatic brain injury (TBI) (Gibson & Hamm, in review), however, alterations to GABA-A receptor subunit proteins have yet to be comprehensively characterized. The current research plan is to evaluate which GABA-A receptor subunits are altered by TBI over a series of acute and chronic post-injury time points. Protein (years 1-2) and mRNA (years 4-5) expression of GABA-A receptor subunits will be measured in the hippocampus (an area selectively vulnerable to injury). Also, the proposed calcium-mediated cascade will be manipulated pharmacologically (years 2-3). The time line for this project is on target. As originally indicated in the INBRE grant proposal, the first nine months of the project have primarily involved equipment and protocol set-up. Intense data collection is planned to begin next month. Since my teaching schedule (primary effort allocation during the academic year) was incompatible with the timed projects proposed, the summer months (100% grant effort) will be primarily dedicated to generating brain tissue samples which can then be processed for protein analysis during the next academic year (2005-06). Addressing the productivity of my current INBRE scholar, she has devoted much of her time this year to completing her BRIN (Biomedical Research Infrastructure Network) project, which she has or will soon be presenting to 3 different audiences. We both plan to attend and present at the Society for Neuroscience convention in the fall. During the next (2nd) year of the grant a newly selected INBRE scholar will start working with me on the INBRE project described above.