Reed Carroll

Assistant Professor
Molecular mechanisms underlying synaptic plasticty; cellular models of learning and memory.

Kennedy Center
Room 530
(718) 430-2708

 

Our lab studies the molecular mechanisms regulating synaptic transmission in the central nervous system. Specifically we are interested in understanding how changes in neuronal activity can cause the long-lasting modifications in the strength of synaptic connections that are believed to be important for neuronal development, learning, and memory formation. In order to develop a complete picture of the events involved in such synaptic plasticity, the lab employs a combination of techniques including whole cell electrophysiology, microscopy, biochemistry and molecular biology.

The focus of our efforts is on investigating how rearrangements in the localization of key signaling components, particularly neurotransmitter receptors, may regulate synaptic strength. Our previous results have shown that the induction of one form of synaptic plasticity, long-term depression, is accompanied by a rapid decrease in the number of synapses containing AMPA-type glutamate receptors, the primary mediators of fast excitatory chemical transmission in the CNS. We now know that this is likely to be the result of an increase in the internalization of AMPA receptors away from the synaptic surface. In future studies we plan to examine in depth the mechanisms that modulate receptor localization at the synapse with an interest in understanding how these play a role in synaptogenesis, plasticity, and neurotoxicity in the brain.

 

Selected Publications

Marsden, K., Beattie, J.B., Friedenthal, J., Carroll, R.C. (2007) NMDAR activation potentiates inhibitory transmission through GABARAP-dependent exocytosis of GABA A Receptors. J. Neurosci. 27 (52): 14326-14337.

Davidkova, G., Carroll, R.C. (2007) Characterization of the Role of Microtubule-Associated Protein 1B in Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor-Mediated Endocytosis of AMPA Receptors in Hippocampus J. Neurosci. 27 (48):13273-13278.

Xia, Y., Nawy, S., Carroll, R.C. (2007) Activity-dependent synaptic plasticity in retinal ganglion cells. J Neurosci. 27(45):12221-29

Sossa, K.G., Beattie, J.B., Carroll, R.C. (2007) Regulated AMPAR exocytosis through NO modulation of PICK1. Neuropharm. 53(1):92-100.

Grooms, S., Noh, K., Regis, R., Bassell, G.J., Bryan, M., Carroll, R. C., Zukin, R. S. (2006) Activity bidirectionally regulates AMPA receptor mRNA abundance in dendrites of hippocampal neurons. J Neurosci. 26(32):8339-51.

Xia, Y., Carroll, R.C., Nawy, S. (2006) State-dependent AMPA Trafficking in the Mammalian Retina. J Neurosci. 26(19):5028-36.

Sossa, K., Court, B., Carroll, R.C. (2006) NMDA receptors mediate calcium-dependent, bi-directional changes in dendritic PICK1 clustering . Mol. Cell. Neuro. 31 :574-85

Antar, L.N., Afroz, R., Dictenburg, J.B., Carroll, R.C., Bassell, G.J. (2004) Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor Activation Regulate Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein and Fmr1 mRNA localization differentially in dendrites and at synapses. J Neurosci. 24:2648-2655.

Carrol,l R.C., Zukin, R.S. (2002) NMDA-receptor trafficking and targeting: implications for synaptic transmission and plasticity. Trends Neurosci. 11:571-577.

Carroll, R.C., Beattie, E.C., von Zastrow, M., Malenka, R.C. (2001) Role of AMPA Receptor endocytosis in synaptic plasticity. Nat Revs Neuosci. 2: 315-324.

Carroll, R.C., Lissin, D.V., von Zastrow, M., Nicoll, R.A., Malenka, R.C. (1999) Rapid redistribution of glutamate receptors contributes to long term depression in hippocampal cultures . Nat. Neurosci. 2: 454-460.

Beattie, E.C., Carroll, R.C., Xiang, Y., Morishita, W., Hikaido, H., von Zastrow, M., Malenka, R.C. (2000) Regulation of AMPA receptor endocytosis by a signaling mechanism hared with LTD. Nat Neurosci. 3: 1291-1300.