Research Topics
Training Areas
Education
Johns Hopkins University
Ph.D., Carnegie Mellon University
Biography
Dr. Clem is an Assistant Professor of Neuroscience at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. His research is focused on how experience alters the function of brain circuits to encode emotional responses.
Awards
2011 -
Finalist, Eppendorf and Science Prize for Neurobiology
2011 -
Daniel Nathans Research Award
Johns Hopkins University2009 - 2012
National Research Service Award
NIMH1998 - 2000
Goldwater Scholarship
Research
Emotional Brain Plasticity
Emotional experiences leave an enduring record in the brain by way of structural and molecular remodeling of cells and synapses. While these modifications help organisms respond appropriately to threats and rewards, they also contribute to maladaptive states like addiction and post-traumatic stress disorder. Many key characteristics of emotional memory mirror those of synaptic plasticity in reduced neuronal preparations. For example, both involve changes in neurotransmission that can persist for long periods provided they undergo molecular stabilization. We now recognize, however, that this basic model fails to capture the complexity of processes that contribute to emotional memory storage, or that update or inhibit memory as behavioral conditions change.
We utilize molecular and
electrophysiological approaches, including optogenetic stimulation, to identify
how associative fear conditioning modifies neural pathways and individual
neurons in limbic and cortical brain regions. Once fear responses are
established, other experiments address the mechanisms that contribute to their
long-term maintenance, as well as their reinforcement or attenuation by
molecular and behavioral interventions.
Research Personel
Elizabeth Lucas, Ph.D. -- postdoctoral fellow
Publications
Anggono V, Clem RL, Huganir RL. PICK1 loss of function occludes homeostatic synaptic scaling. The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience 2011 Feb; 31(6).
Gerkin RC, Clem RL, Shruti S, Kass RE, Barth AL. Cortical up state activity is enhanced after seizures: a quantitative analysis. Journal of clinical neurophysiology : official publication of the American Electroencephalographic Society 2010 Dec; 27(6).
Clem RL, Huganir RL. Calcium-permeable AMPA receptor dynamics mediate fear memory erasure. Science (New York, N.Y.) 2010 Nov; 330(6007).
Clem RL, Anggono V, Huganir RL. PICK1 regulates incorporation of calcium-permeable AMPA receptors during cortical synaptic strengthening. The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience 2010 May; 30(18).
Tran TS, Rubio ME, Clem RL, Johnson D, Case L, Tessier-Lavigne M, Huganir RL, Ginty DD, Kolodkin AL. Secreted semaphorins control spine distribution and morphogenesis in the postnatal CNS. Nature 2009 Dec; 462(7276).
Shruti S, Clem RL, Barth AL. A seizure-induced gain-of-function in BK channels is associated with elevated firing activity in neocortical pyramidal neurons. Neurobiology of disease 2008 Jun; 30(3).
Clem RL, Celikel T, Barth AL. Ongoing in vivo experience triggers synaptic metaplasticity in the neocortex. Science (New York, N.Y.) 2008 Jan; 319(5859).
Clem RL, Barth A. Pathway-specific trafficking of native AMPARs by in vivo experience. Neuron 2006 Mar; 49(5).
Clump DA, Clem R, Qian Y, Guappone-Koay A, Berrebi AS, Flynn DC. Protein expression levels of the Src activating protein AFAP are developmentally regulated in brain. Journal of neurobiology 2003 Feb; 54(3).
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. Clem 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 9th Room 112
1470 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10029
Icahn Medical Institute Floor 10 Room 75A
1425 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10029
