Research Interests

Inositol (1,4,5)-trisphosphate receptors (IP₃Rs) are intracellular Ca²⁺ release channels that play a key role in controlling neuronal excitability and plasticity. Production of IP₃ is caused by synaptic inputs activating metabotropic neurotransmitter receptors, such as metabotropic glutamate or acetylcholine receptors. The resulting increase in intracellular Ca²⁺ levels influences a plethora of neuronal processes by activating Ca²⁺-sensitive enzymes and ion channels. Previous studies have shown that Ca²⁺-sensitive SK and BK K+ channels are activated by spike-evoked Ca²⁺ influx in medium spiny neurons (MSNs), the sole output neurons of the striatum, thereby shaping their firing pattern. However, it is not clear how SK and BK channels are coupled to IP₃-induced Ca²⁺ release in these neurons. I use in vitro brain slice electrophysiology recordings in combination with flash photolysis of caged IP₃ to address how intracellular Ca²⁺ release could modulate MSN firing.

Publications

Perra S, Clements MA, Bernier BE, Morikawa H (2011). In vivo ethanol experience increases D2 autoinhibition in the VTA. Neuropsychopharm 36(5):993-1002. PubMed

Threlfell S, Clements MA, Khodai T, Pienaar IS, Exley R, Wess J, Cragg SJ. (2010). Striatal muscarinic receptors promote activity dependence of dopamine transmission via distinct receptor subtypes on cholinergic interneurons in ventral versus dorsal striatum. J Neurosci. 30:3398-408. PubMed

Fouriki A, Farrow N, Clements MA, Dobson J (2010). Evaluation of the magnetic feld requirements for nanomagnetic gene transfection. Nano Reviews 1:5167.

Exley R, Clements MA, Hartung H, McIntosh JM, Cragg SJ (2008). Alpha6-containing nicotinic acetylcholine receptors dominate the nicotine control of dopamine neurotransmission in nucleus accumbens. Neuropsychopharm 33(9):2158-66. PubMed

Cragg SJ, Exley R, Clements MA (2005). Striatal acetylcholine control of reward-related dopamine signalling, in The Basal Ganglia VIII (Editors J.P. Bolam, C. Ingham, P.J. Magill). Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers pp 99-108.