Highlighted Publication

Qiu, J., Stincic, T.L., Bosch, M.A., Connors, A.M., Kaech Petrie, S. Rønnekleiv, O.K., Kelly, M.J. Deletion of Stim1 in hypothalamic arcuate nucleus Kiss1 neurons potentiates synchronous GCaMP activity and protects against diet-induced obesity. Journal of Neuroscience

Hypothalamic arcuate kisspeptin neurons (Kiss1^ARH) are essential for stimulating the pulsatile release of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) from the hypothalamus and subsequently luteinizing hormone from the pituitary to maintain fertility. However, Kiss1^ARH neurons appear to be a key player in coordinating energy balance with reproduction. Using calcium imaging and electrophysiological techniques, Qiu and colleagues elucidated the role of calcium channels and an associated calcium-sensing regulatory protein (called STIM1) in generating synchronous firing of kisspeptin neurons for driving the pulsatile release of GnRH. They deleted STIM1 in Kiss1^ARH neurons and found that it significantly increased the excitability of Kiss1^ARH neurons and protected ovariectomized female mice from developing obesity and glucose intolerance with high-fat dieting.

Discovery raises possibility of new medication for Alzheimer's, Parkinson's

Drs. Sky Ferrara and Tom Scanlan in the Department of Chemical Physiology and Biochemistry have for the first time demonstrated it's possible to use a synthetic thyroid hormone to regulate a gene implicated in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and multiple sclerosis. Read about the discovery HERE.

Congratulations!

Congratulations to Drs. Mike Andresen, Ginny Brooks, and Oline Ronnekleiv on being awarded Professor Emeritus in recognition for their distinguished service to OHSU and science.