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Krista Moulder, PhD
Current
Position
Research Assistant Professor of Psychiatry
University Roles
Coursemaster, Introduction to Neurobiology U29 435
Education and Training
B.A., Northwestern University
Ph.D., Washington University
Areas of Research Interests
I am interested in mechanisms of synaptic plasticity, with specific attention to modulation of presynaptic neurotransmitter release. One aspect of this involves the influence of electrical activity on subsequent synaptic signaling. To study these questions, we have used electrophysiology, immunocytochemistry, and live cell imaging. We have found striking differences in the regulation of transmitter release between glutamatergic (excitatory) and GABA ergic (inhibitory) hippocampal neurons. These studies have relevance not only for normal neuronal communication, but also for the consequences of neuronal injury/disease and chronic exposure to drugs of abuse.
Key Publications
Moulder KL, Shute AA, Hamilton CK, de Erausquin G, Mennerick S. (2004) Plastic depression of the readily releasable glutamate pool by depolarization. Neuron 42:423-435. Full Article ->
Moulder KL, Mennerick S. (2005) Reluctant vesicles contribute to the total readily releasable pool in glutamatergic hippocampal neurons. J Neurosci 25:3842-3850. Full Article ->
Ippolito JE, Merritt ME, Bäckhed F, Moulder KL, Mennerick S, Manchester JK, Gammon ST, Piwnica-Worms D, Gordon JI (2006) Linkage between cellular communications, energy utilization, and proliferation in metastatic neuroendocrine cancers. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 103(33): 12505-10. Full Article ->
Moulder KL, Jiang X, Taylor AA, Olney JW, Mennerick S. (2006) Physiological activity depresses synaptic function through an effect on vesicle priming. J Neurosci 26:6618-6626. Full Article ->
Moulder KL, Jiang X, Taylor AA, Shin W, Gillis KD, Mennerick S (2007) Vesicle pool heterogeneity at hippocampal glutamate and GABA synapses. J Neurosci. 27(37): 9846-54. Full Article ->
Moulder KL, Jiang X, Chang C, Taylor AA, Benz AM, Conti AC, Muglia LJ, Mennerick S (2008) A specific role for Ca2+-dependent adenylyl cyclases in recovery from adaptive presynaptic silencing. J Neurosci. 28(20): 5159-68. Full Article ->
Funded Research Projects
NIDA(PI):Homeostatic Effects of Activity on Neurotransmission
American Cancer Society(PI):Excitability and GABA Signaling in Prostate Neuroendocrine Tumor Cells
NIMH(Key Personnel):Control of Synaptic Glutamate Release