Positions

Overview

  • Dr. Lori McMahon received her B.A., summa cum laude in Biology and Chemistry from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville and her Ph.D. from Saint Louis University Health Sciences Center in St. Louis, Missouri. Dr. McMahon obtained postdoctoral training at Duke University Medical Center in the Department of Neurobiology and, in 1998, joined the faculty of UAB as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physiology and Biophysics. She is currently the Jarman F. Lowder Professor of Neuroscience in the Department of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology, Director of the UAB Comprehensive Neuroscience Center, and Dean of the UAB Graduate School. She is a basic neuroscientist whose laboratory research focuses on pathophysiological changes in neural circuit function in various rodent models of neurological and neuropsychiatric diseases.

    • Selected Publications

    Academic Article

    Year Title Altmetric
    2021 Increased Excitability and Heightened Magnitude of Long-Term Potentiation at Hippocampal CA3–CA1 Synapses in a Mouse Model of Neonatal Hyperoxia Exposure.  Frontiers in Synaptic Neuroscience.  12. 2021
    2020 Increased O-GlcNAcylation rapidly decreases GABAAR currents in hippocampus but depresses neuronal output.  Scientific Reports.  10. 2020
    2020 Alzheimer’s disease risk gene BIN1 induces Tau-dependent network hyperexcitability.  eLife.  9:1-25. 2020
    2020 Alzheimer’s disease risk gene BIN1 induces Tau-dependent network hyperexcitability 2020
    2020 The gut microbiome as a therapeutic target for cognitive impairment 2020
    2019 Early Life Supraphysiological Levels of Oxygen Exposure Permanently Impairs Hippocampal Mitochondrial Function.  Scientific Reports.  9. 2019
    2019 Alpha1-Adrenergic Receptor Mediated Long-Term Depression at CA3-CA1 Synapses Can Be Induced via Accumulation of Endogenous Norepinephrine and Is Preserved Following Noradrenergic Denervation.  Frontiers in Synaptic Neuroscience.  11. 2019
    2019 Rats bred for high anxiety exhibit distinct fear-related coping behavior, hippocampal physiology, and synaptic plasticity-related gene expression 2019
    2019 Diverse Mechanisms Lead to Common Dysfunction of Striatal Cholinergic Interneurons in Distinct Genetic Mouse Models of Dystonia 2019
    2019 LSO:Ce Inorganic Scintillators Are Biocompatible With Neuronal and Circuit Function.  Frontiers in Synaptic Neuroscience.  11. 2019
    2019 Cyclic O3 exposure synergizes with aging leading to memory impairment in male APOE ε3, but not APOE ε4, targeted replacement mice.  Neurobiology of Aging.  81:9-21. 2019
    2019 Organic Fluorophore Coated Polycrystalline Ceramic LSO:Ce Scintillators for X-ray Bioimaging 2019
    2018 Supraphysiological Levels of Oxygen Exposure During the Neonatal Period Impairs Signaling Pathways Required for Learning and Memory.  Scientific Reports.  8. 2018
    2018 Corrigendum to “Deficits in synaptic function occur at medial perforant path-dentate granule cell synapses prior to Schaffer collateral-CA1 pyramidal cell synapses in the novel TgF344-Alzheimer's Disease Rat Model” [Neurobiology of Disease Volume 110, February 2018, Pages 166–179] (S0969996117302759) (10.1016/j.nbd.2017.11.014)).  Neurobiology of Disease.  118:177-178. 2018
    2018 Intravascular ketamine increases theta-burst but not high frequency tetanus induced LTP at CA3-CA1 synapses within three hours and devoid of an increase in spine density.  Frontiers in Synaptic Neuroscience.  10. 2018
    2018 Disinhibition of CA1 pyramidal cells by low-dose ketamine and other antagonists with rapid antidepressant efficacy 2018
    2018 Deficits in synaptic function occur at medial perforant path-dentate granule cell synapses prior to Schaffer collateral-CA1 pyramidal cell synapses in the novel TgF344-Alzheimer's Disease Rat Model.  Neurobiology of Disease.  110:166-179. 2018
    2017 Strength of cholinergic tone dictates the polarity of dopamine D2 receptor modulation of striatal cholinergic interneuron excitability in DYT1 dystonia.  Experimental Neurology.  295:162-175. 2017
    2017 Acute increases in protein O-GlcNAcylation dampen epileptiform activity in hippocampus 2017
    2017 GSK3 activity regulates rhythms in hippocampal clock gene expression and synaptic plasticity 2017
    2017 O-GlcNAcylation and neurodegeneration.  Brain Research Bulletin.  133:80-87. 2017
    2017 Vitamin A and retinoic acid combination attenuates neonatal hyperoxia-induced neurobehavioral impairment in adult mice.  Neurobiology of Learning and Memory.  141:209-216. 2017
    2016 17β estradiol recruits GluN2B-containing NMDARs and ERK during induction of long-term potentiation at temporoammonic-CA1 synapses 2016
    2014 Tau-mediated NMDA receptor impairment underlies dysfunction of a selectively vulnerable network in a mouse model of frontotemporal dementia 2014
    2014 An acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, eserine, induces long-term depression at CA3-CA1 synapses in the hippocampus of adult rats.  Journal of Neurophysiology.  112:2388-2397. 2014
    2014 Glycogen synthase kinase-3 inhibitors reverse deficits in long-term potentiation and cognition in fragile X mice.  Biological Psychiatry.  75:198-206. 2014
    2014 O-GlcNAcylation of AMPA receptor GluA2 is associated with a novel form of long-term depression at hippocampal synapses 2014
    2014 17β Estradiol increases resilience and improves hippocampal synaptic function in helpless ovariectomized rats.  Psychoneuroendocrinology.  42:77-88. 2014
    2014 Estradiol replacement extends the window of opportunity forhippocampal function.  Neurobiology of Aging.  35:2183-2192. 2014
    2014 Increased long-term potentiation at medial-perforant path-dentate granule cell synapses induced by selective inhibition of histone deacetylase 3 requires Fragile X mental retardation protein.  Neurobiology of Learning and Memory.  114:193-197. 2014
    2014 Noradrenergic sympathetic sprouting and cholinergic reinnervation maintains non-amyloidogenic processing of AβPP.  Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.  38:867-879. 2014
    2014 Simvastatin treatment enhances NMDAR-mediated synaptic transmission by upregulating the surface distribution of the GluN2B subunit.  Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology.  34:693-705. 2014
    2013 Estradiol-induced increase in novel object recognition requires hippocampal NR2B-containing NMDA receptors 2013
    2012 G9a/GLP histone lysine dimethyltransferase complex activity in the hippocampus and the entorhinal cortex is required for gene activation and silencing during memory consolidation 2012
    2012 Neurabin scaffolding of adenosine receptor and RGS4 regulates anti-seizure effect of endogenous adenosine 2012
    2012 Simvastatin-mediated enhancement of long-term potentiation is driven by farnesyl-pyrophosphate depletion and inhibition of farnesylation.  Neuroscience.  202:1-9. 2012
    2010 Deficiency in the inhibitory serine-phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase-3 increases sensitivity to mood disturbances.  Neuropsychopharmacology.  35:1761-1774. 2010
    2010 Sympathetic sprouting in visual cortex stimulated by cholinergic denervation rescues expression of two forms of long-term depression at layer 2/3 synapses.  Neuroscience.  168:591-604. 2010
    2010 Simvastatin enhances hippocampal long-term potentiation in C57BL/6 mice.  Neuroscience.  166:435-444. 2010
    2009 Estradiol and the relationship between dendritic spines, NR2B containing NMDA receptors, and the magnitude of long-term potentiation at hippocampal CA3-CA1 synapses.  Psychoneuroendocrinology.  34. 2009
    2008 Layer 2/3 synapses in monocular and binocular regions of tree shrew visual cortex express mAChR-dependent long-term depression and long-term potentiation.  Journal of Neurophysiology.  100:336-345. 2008
    2008 Coactivation of M1 muscarinic and α1 adrenergic receptors stimulates extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase and induces long-term depression at CA3-CA1 synapses in rat hippocampus 2008
    2007 Muscarinic receptor-dependent long-term depression in rat visual cortex is PKC independent but requires ERK1/2 activation and protein synthesis.  Journal of Neurophysiology.  98:1862-1870. 2007
    2006 Coexistence of muscarinic long-term depression with electrically induced long-term potentiation and depression at CA3-CA1 synapses.  Journal of Neurophysiology.  96:3114-3121. 2006
    2006 Estradiol-induced increase in the magnitude of long-term potentiation is prevented by blocking NR2B-containing receptors 2006
    2006 Sympathetic sprouting drives hippocampal cholinergic reinnervation that prevents loss of a muscarinic receptor-dependent long-term depression at CA3-CA1 synapses 2006
    2006 Glycine-gated chloride channels depress synaptic transmission in rat hippocampus.  Journal of Neurophysiology.  95:2366-2379. 2006
    2005 Estrogen-induced increase in the magnitude of long-term potentiation occurs only when the ratio of NMDA transmission to AMPA transmission is increased 2005
    2004 Novel Form of Long-Term Synaptic Depression in Rat Hippocampus Induced by Activation of α1 Adrenergic Receptors.  Journal of Neurophysiology.  91:1071-1077. 2004
    2003 Immunolocalization of the acid-sensing ion channel 2a in the rat cerebellum.  Histochemistry and Cell Biology.  119:437-446. 2003
    2003 Strychnine-sensitive glycine receptors depress hyperexcitability in rat dentate gyrus.  Journal of Neurophysiology.  89:1339-1342. 2003
    2002 Pharmacological characterization of glycine-gated chloride currents recorded in rat hippocampal slices.  Journal of Neurophysiology.  87:1515-1525. 2002
    1998 Functionally distinct groups of interneurons identified during rhythmic carbachol oscillations in hippocampus in vitro 1998
    1997 Depressing transmission in GABAergic hippocampal neurons.  Molecular Psychiatry.  2:434-436. 1997
    1997 Hippocampal interneurons are excited via serotonin-gated ion channels.  Journal of Neurophysiology.  78:2493-2502. 1997
    1997 Hippocampal interneurons express a novel form of synaptic plasticity.  Neuron.  18:295-305. 1997
    1994 Nicotinic receptor activation facilitates GABAergic neurotransmission in the avian lateral spiriform nucleus..  Neuroscience.  59:689-698. 1994
    1993 Different responses to opioids measured in terminals and somas of Edinger-Westphal neurons..  Neuroscience.  57:425-432. 1993
    1991 The cannabinoid receptor: Biochemical and cellular properties in neuroblastoma cells 1991

    Chapter

    Year Title Altmetric
    2020 Effects of ketamine and other rapidly acting antidepressants on hippocampal excitatory and inhibitory transmission.  3-41. 2020

    Principal Investigator On

  • Consequences of Noradrenergic Degeneration in the Novel TgF344-AD Rat Model  awarded by National Institute on Aging/NIH/DHHS 2020 - 2025
  • NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP)  awarded by NSF - National Science Foundation 2019 - 2024
  • Digital Caging System for Home Cage Behavioral Analysis  awarded by UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA HEALTH SERVICES FOUNDATION 2019 - 2021
  • RII Track-2 FEC: The Creation of Next Generation Tools for Neuroscience - Noninvasive Radioluminescence Approaches to Optogenetics  awarded by Clemson University 2016 - 2021
  • Rapid modulation of hippocampal GABAergic Inhibition by O-GlcNAcylation  awarded by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke/NIH/DHHS 2019 - 2021
  • Micro-Credentials Development Meeting  awarded by ACHE - ALABAMA COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION 2019 - 2020
  • Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP)  awarded by NSF - National Science Foundation 2018 - 2019
  • UAB Neuroscience Roadmap Scholars Program  awarded by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke/NIH/DHHS 2014 - 2019
  • Impact of Estrogen Loss and Replacement on GLuN2B containing NMDAR's, Synaptic Plasticity, and Learning and Memory in Females using a Novel Transgenic Rat Model of Alzheimer's Disease  awarded by National Institute on Aging/NIH/DHHS 2016 - 2019
  • 17-Beta-Estradiol Protects Critical Hippocampal Synaptic Circuits During Asymptomatic Disease in the Novel TgF344-AD rat  awarded by National Institute on Aging/NIH/DHHS 2017 - 2019
  • Interactions of 17beta Estradiol and Ketamine on Depression-Like Behavior, Hippocampal Synaptic Function, and Cognition in Ovariectomized Rats  awarded by National Institute of Mental Health/NIH/DHHS 2016 - 2018
  • Effects off NMDAR Antagonist on Hippocampal Circuits  awarded by National Institute of Mental Health/NIH/DHHS 2016 - 2018
  • O-GlcNAcylation Dampens Hyperexcitability in Hippocampus during Acute Epileptiform Activity  awarded by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke/NIH/DHHS 2015 - 2017
  • O-GlcNAcylation and Hippocampal Synaptic Plasticity  awarded by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke/NIH/DHHS 2011 - 2017
  • Muscarinic Receptor Induced LTD in Rat Hippocampus  awarded by National Institute on Aging/NIH/DHHS 2011 - 2016
  • The Role of GSK3 in Synaptic and Cognitive Deficits in Fragile X Syndrome  awarded by National Institute of Mental Health/NIH/DHHS 2012 - 2014
  • Estrogen and Hippocampal Plasticity  awarded by National Institute of Mental Health/NIH/DHHS 2008 - 2014
  • O-Linked Glycosylation and Synaptic Function in Hippocampus  awarded by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke/NIH/DHHS 2009 - 2012
  • Protective Mechanisms of Statins in Alzheimer's Disease  awarded by University of Minnesota 2010 - 2012
  • The Role of O-GlcNAcylation in Synaptic Function  awarded by National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases/NIH/DHHS 2010 - 2012
  • Sympathetic Sprouting in Human AD Hippocampus: A Potential Novel Therapeutic Target  awarded by ALZHEIMER'S OF CENTRAL ALABAMA 2010 - 2011
  • Learned Helplessness, Estrogen, and Hippocampal Synaptic Function  awarded by National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression 2008 - 2011
  • Muscarinic Receptor Induced LTD in Rat Hippocampus  awarded by National Institute on Aging/NIH/DHHS 2004 - 2010

    • Investigator On

  • UAB Neuroscience Roadmap Scholars Program  awarded by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke/NIH/DHHS 2020 - 2025
  • Exploring the Contribution of Astrocytes to Huntington Disease  awarded by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke/NIH/DHHS 2020 - 2025
  • UAB Alzheimer's Disease Research Center  awarded by National Institute on Aging/NIH/DHHS 2020 - 2023
  • Training Program in the Neurobiology of Cognition and Cognitive Disorders  awarded by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke/NIH/DHHS 2018 - 2023
  • BIN1, Interneuron Activity, and Network Dysfunction in Alzheimer Disease  awarded by National Institute on Aging/NIH/DHHS 2018 - 2023
  • Circadian Dysfunction and Neurodegenerative Disease  awarded by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke/NIH/DHHS 2018 - 2023
  • UAB Training Program in Neuroscience  awarded by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke/NIH/DHHS 2017 - 2022
  • ACE2 as a Novel Therapeutic to Preserve Physical Function in Late Life  awarded by National Institute on Aging/NIH/DHHS 2017 - 2022
  • Regulation of Novel Alpha2A Adrenergic Receptor Signaling by Spinophilin  awarded by National Institute of Mental Health/NIH/DHHS 2015 - 2021
  • NF-kB Methyl-Lysine Signaling in the Epigenetic Regulation of Memory  awarded by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke/NIH/DHHS 2017 - 2020
  • Effects of NPY on Hippocampal Circuit Function  awarded by National Institute of Mental Health/NIH/DHHS 2015 - 2020
  • Role of Alpha Synuclein in PINK1-linked Parkinson's Disease  awarded by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke/NIH/DHHS 2018 - 2020
  • Molecular Etiology of Early Onset Torsion Dystonia  awarded by MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL 2015 - 2020
  • CRISPR/dCas9-targeted Manipulation of bdnf Transcription in Synaptic Plasticity and Contextual Learning  awarded by National Institute of Mental Health/NIH/DHHS 2016 - 2020
  • UAB Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS) (3 Linked Awards UL1, KL2, TL1)  awarded by National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences/NIH/DHHS 2015 - 2019
  • Frequency-dependent Modulation of Synaptic Transmission and Plasticity by pH  awarded by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke/NIH/DHHS 2016 - 2019
  • Mechanisms by Which Retinoids Attenuate Hyperoxia-Induced Memory Deficit in Mice  awarded by KAUL PEDIATRIC RESEARCH INSTITUTE 2016 - 2018
  • Circadian Dysfunction and GSK3 in Neurodegenerative Disease  awarded by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke/NIH/DHHS 2013 - 2018
  • UAB Research and Education Program in Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Neuropathology  awarded by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke/NIH/DHHS 2012 - 2017
  • Ozone, ApoE4, Aging, and Alzheimer's Disease  awarded by National Institute on Aging/NIH/DHHS 2013 - 2016
  • Training Program in the Neurobiology of Cognition and Cognitive Disorders  awarded by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke/NIH/DHHS 2013 - 2016
  • Tau and Glutamatergic Synapses in Frontotemporal Dementia  awarded by National Institute on Aging/NIH/DHHS 2013 - 2016
  • Glucose Metabolism and Insulin Sensitivity in Depressed Patients following Early Life Stress  awarded by Brain and Behavior Research Foundation 2014 - 2016
  • GIRK Channel Modulation of SCN Excitability and Circadian Rhythms  awarded by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke/NIH/DHHS 2014 - 2015

    • Teaching Activities

  • GRD706 - Grants and Fellowships 101 (Fall Term 2018) 2018
  • GRD746 - Crit. Dec. in Mentoring & Lead (Summer Term 2018) 2018
  • GRD719 - Intro Mentoring & Leadership (Spring Term 2018) 2018
  • NBL745 - Prof Dev Course (Spring Term 2018) 2018
  • GRD706 - Grants and Fellowships 101 (Fall Term 2017) 2017
  • GRD719 - Intro Mentoring & Leadership (Fall Term 2017) 2017
  • NBL723 - Experimental Design (Fall Term 2017) 2017
  • NBL741 - Writing and Presenting (Fall Term 2017) 2017
  • NBL791 - Crit Thinking/Analytical Skill (Fall Term 2017) 2017
  • NBL741 - Writing and Presenting (Spring Term 2017) 2017
  • NBL745 - Prof Dev Course (Spring Term 2017) 2017
  • GRD706 - Grants and Fellowships 101 (Fall Term 2016) 2016
  • GRD719 - Intro Mentoring & Leadership (Fall Term 2016) 2016
  • GRD719 - Intro Mentoring & Leadership (Summer Term 2016) 2016
  • NBL723 - Experimental Design (Fall Term 2015) 2015
  • NBL791 - Crit Thinking/Analytical Skill (Fall Term 2015) 2015
  • VIS729 - Intro to Neurobio/Marine Bio (Fall Term 2015) 2015
  • VIS729 - Intro to Neurobio/Marine Bio (Fall Term 2014) 2014
  • VIS729 - Intro to Neurobio/Marine Bio (Fall Term 2013) 2013
  • VIS729 - Intro to Neurobio/Marine Bio (Fall Term 2012) 2012
  • VIS729 - Intro to Neurobio/Marine Bio (Summer Term 2012) 2012
  • PHY787 - Electronics in Physiology (Summer Term 2011) 2011
  • VIS729 - Intro to Neurobio/Marine Bio (Summer Term 2011) 2011
  • NEUR717 - Lab Rotation III (Summer Term 2010) 2010
  • NEUR782 - Student Summer Seminar Series (Summer Term 2010) 2010
  • NEUR798 - Nondissertation Research (Summer Term 2010) 2010
  • NEUR799 - Dissertation Research (Summer Term 2010) 2010
  • NEUR716 - Lab Rotation II (Spring Term 2010) 2010
  • NEUR798 - Nondissertation Research (Spring Term 2010) 2010
  • NEUR799 - Dissertation Research (Spring Term 2010) 2010
  • NEUR714 - Princ Cell Neuro Sci Module IV (Fall Term 2009) 2009
  • NEUR715 - Lab Rotation I (Fall Term 2009) 2009
  • NEUR798 - Nondissertation Research (Fall Term 2009) 2009
  • NEUR799 - Dissertation Research (Fall Term 2009) 2009
  • NEUR717 - Lab Rotation III (Summer Term 2009) 2009
  • NEUR782 - Student Summer Seminar Series (Summer Term 2009) 2009
  • NEUR798 - Nondissertation Research (Summer Term 2009) 2009
  • NEUR716 - Lab Rotation II (Spring Term 2009) 2009
  • NEUR781 - Seminar II Tpc Neurosci Res (Spring Term 2009) 2009
  • NEUR798 - Nondissertation Research (Spring Term 2009) 2009
  • NEUR714 - Princ Cell Neuro Sci Module IV (Fall Term 2008) 2008
  • NEUR715 - Lab Rotation I (Fall Term 2008) 2008
  • NEUR798 - Nondissertation Research (Fall Term 2008) 2008
  • PHY787 - Electronics in Physiology (Fall Term 2008) 2008
  • NEUR717 - Lab Rotation III (Summer Term 2008) 2008
  • NEUR782 - Student Summer Seminar Series (Summer Term 2008) 2008
  • NEUR798 - Nondissertation Research (Summer Term 2008) 2008
  • NEUR716 - Lab Rotation II (Spring Term 2008) 2008
  • NEUR781 - Seminar II Tpc Neurosci Res (Spring Term 2008) 2008
  • NEUR798 - Nondissertation Research (Spring Term 2008) 2008
  • NEUR714 - Princ Cell Neuro Sci Module IV (Fall Term 2007) 2007
  • NEUR715 - Lab Rotation I (Fall Term 2007) 2007
  • NEUR717 - Lab Rotation III (Fall Term 2007) 2007
  • NEUR798 - Nondissertation Research (Fall Term 2007) 2007
  • NEUR798 - Nondissertation Research (Fall Term 2007) 2007

    • Education And Training

  • Doctor of Philosophy in Neuropharmacology, Saint Louis University 1993

    • Awards And Honors

    Full Name

  • Lori McMahon Wakefield