Research Topics
Training Areas
Education
PhD, University of California
Neurobiology
Biography
- Development of cortical connectivity
- Spinal cord circuits mediating neuropathic pain
Research Interests:
Dr. Huntley's laboratory uses multidisciplinary approaches to investigate mechanisms through which strength and organization of synaptic connection are modified during development, by experience, and following brain, spinal cord or peripheral nerve injury.
Research
Specific Clinical/Research Interests: Development, Plasticity and Repair of Synaptic Circuit Structure and Function
* Synaptic plasticity and remodeling in health and disease
* Development of cortical connectivity
* Synaptic cell adhesion molecules
* Spinal cord circuits mediating neuropathic pain
* Neural repair following injury
Dr. Huntley's laboratory uses multidisciplinary approaches to investigate mechanisms through which strength and organization of synaptic connection are modified during development, by experience, and following brain, spinal cord or peripheral nerve injury.
Current Students: MSTP: Jessica Nikitczuk; Kimberly Casten
Postdoctoral Fellows: Shekhar Patil
Summary of Research Studies:
Synapse structure and function is continuously modified during development and throughout life by experience, such as learning new skills or forming new memories. Such synaptic plasticity is thus critical for normal brain function. Synaptic plasticity can also become maladaptive under conditions of brain, spinal or peripheral nerve injury, leading to abnormal function or sensation. Dr. Huntley's research focuses on mechanisms of synaptic plasticity through which synaptic structure and function are modified by experience or injury.
Research projects include:
1) the role of the cadherin family of synaptic adhesion proteins in synapse and circuit development, plasticity and repair;
2) the role of regulated extracellular proteolytic remodeling of cortical synapses in synaptic plasticity; and
3) molecules and mechanisms regulating maladaptive spinal cord and brain circuit plasticity in animal models of neuropathic pain.
Visit Dr. George Huntley's Laboratory of Synaptic Circuit Development and Plasticity for more information.
Publications
Bozdagi O, Wang X, Nikitczuk JS, Anderson TR, Bloss EG, Radice GL, Zhou Q, Benson DL, Huntley GW. Persistence of coordinated long-term potentiation and dendritic spine enlargement at mature hippocampal CA1 synapses requires N-cadherin. J Neurosci 2010; 39: 9984-9989.
Wang XB, Bozdagi O, Nikitczuk JS, Zhai ZW, Zhou Q, Huntley GW. Extracellular proteolysis by matrix metalloproteinase-9 drives dendritic spine enlargement and long-term potentiation coordinately. Proc. Natl. Acad, Sci USA 2008; 105: 19519-19524.
Kichula EA, Huntley GW. Developmental and comparative aspects of posterior medial thalamocortical innervation of barrel cortex in mice and rats. J. Comp. Neurol 2007; 509: 239-258.
Nagy V, Bozdagi O, Huntley GW. The extracellular protease matrix metalloproteinase-9 is activated by inhibitory avoidance learning and required for long-term memory. Learning and Memory 2007; 14: 655-664.
Bozdagi O, Nagy V, Kwei KT, Huntley GW. In vivo roles for matrix metalloproteinase-9 in mature hippocampal synaptic physiology and plasticity. J. Neurophysiology 2007; 98: 334-344.
Brock JH, Elste A, Huntley GW. Distribution and injury-induced plasticity of cadherins in relationship to identified synaptic circuitry in adult rat spinal cord. J Neurosci 2004 Oct 6; 24(40): 8806-8817.
Poskanzer K, Needleman LA, Bozdagi O, Huntley GW. N-cadherin regulates ingrowth and laminar targeting of thalamocortical axons. J Neurosci 2003 Mar 15; 23(6): 2294-2305.
Huntley GW, Benson DL, Colman DR. Structural remodeling of the synapse in response to physiological activity. Cell 2002; 108: 1-4.
Bozdagi O, Shan W, Tanaka H, Benson DL, Huntley GW. Increasing numbers of synaptic puncta during late-phase LTP: N-cadherin is synthesized, recruited to synaptic sites, and required for potentiation. 28 2000; Neuron: 245-259.
Huntley GW, Benson DL. N-Cadherin at developing thalamocortical synapses provides an adhesion mechanism for the formation of somatopically organized connections. J. Comp. Neurol 1999; 407: 453-471.
Huntley G. Differential effects of abnormal tactile experience on shaping representation patterns in developing and adult motor cortex. J Neurosci 1997 Dec 1; 17(23): 9220-9232.
Industry Relationships
Physicians and scientists on the faculty of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai often interact with pharmaceutical, device and biotechnology companies to improve patient care, develop new therapies and achieve scientific breakthroughs. In order to promote an ethical and transparent environment for conducting research, providing clinical care and teaching, Mount Sinai requires that salaried faculty inform the School of their relationships with such companies.
Dr. Huntley did not report having any of the following types of financial relationships with industry during 2012 and/or 2013: consulting, scientific advisory board, industry-sponsored lectures, service on Board of Directors, participation on industry-sponsored committees, equity ownership valued at greater than 5% of a publicly traded company or any value in a privately held company. Please note that this information may differ from information posted on corporate sites due to timing or classification differences.
Mount Sinai's faculty policies relating to faculty collaboration with industry are posted on our website at http://icahn.mssm.edu/about-us/services-and-resources/faculty-resources/handbooks-and-policies/faculty-handbook. Patients may wish to ask their physician about the activities they perform for companies.
CSM aka Primary Care Building Floor 9 Room 108
1470 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10029
CSM aka Primary Care Building Floor 9th Floor Room Room 108
1470 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10029
Fax: 646-537-9583
