HR job title
- Retired Professor
- Contact Info
- 1 979 436 0315
Griffith, William Regents Professor Emeritus
Positions
- Regents Professor and Department Head, Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, School of Medicine
Our long term research goals are to identify the cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for age-related changes in cellular function that contribute to detrimental aging, and to develop targeted therapies to reverse age-related deficits. We utilize electrophyiological, optogenetic and calcium imaging techniques in animal models of aging and disease. Our research has focused on the basic idea that compensatory changes occur in in brain function during aging and identification of this brain activity will provide an important first step in identifying potential targets for future drug therapies.
- Overview
- Publications
- Research
- Teaching
- Works By Students
- Background
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Overview
Publications
selected publications
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academic article
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Bang, E., Fincher, A. S., Nader, S., Murchison, D. A., & Griffith, W. H.
(2022).
Late-Onset, Short-Term Intermittent Fasting Reverses Age-Related Changes in Calcium Buffering and Inhibitory Synaptic Transmission in Mouse Basal Forebrain Neurons. 42(6), 1020-1034.
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Bang, E., Tobery, A., Montgomery, K. S., Fincher, A. S., Earnest, D. J., Murchison, D. A., & Griffith, W. H.
(2021).
Amitriptyline Decreases GABAergic Transmission in Basal Forebrain Neurons Using an Optogenetic Model of Aging. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience.
13, 673155.
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Rees, K. A., Halawa, A. A., Consuegra-Garcia, D., Golub, V. M., Clossen, B. L., Tan, A. M., ... Winzer-Serhan, U. H.
(2020).
Molecular, physiological and behavioral characterization of the heterozygous Df[h15q13]/+ mouse model associated with the human 15q13.3 microdeletion syndrome. BRAIN RESEARCH.
1746, 147024-147024.
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Montgomery, K. S., Murchison, D., & Griffith, W. H.
(2018).
P3169: OPTOGENETIC QUANTAL ANALYSIS OF BASAL FOREBRAIN SYNAPTIC TRANSMISSION WITH PHARMACOLOGICAL TESTING OF SYNAPTIC ACTIVITY WITH GLUTAMATE AND CALCIUM MODULATORS. Alzheimer's and Dementia.
14(7S_Part_21), p1132-p1133.
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Montgomery, K. S., DuBois, D. W., Bancroft, E., Provasek, V., & Griffith, W. H.
(2017).
[P1127]: TARGETING PREDEMENTIA SYNAPTIC MECHANISMS DURING AGING AND COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT. Alzheimer's and Dementia.
13(7S_Part_5), p290-p290.
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Damborsky, J. C., Griffith, W. H., & Winzer-Serhan, U. H.
(2015).
Neonatal nicotine exposure increases excitatory synaptic transmission and attenuates nicotine-stimulated GABA release in the adult rat hippocampus. Neuropharmacology.
88, 187-198.
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Griffith, W. H., Dubois, D. W., Fincher, A., Peebles, K. A., Bizon, J. L., & Murchison, D.
(2014).
Characterization of age-related changes in synaptic transmission onto F344 rat basal forebrain cholinergic neurons using a reduced synaptic preparation. Journal of Neurophysiology.
111(2), 273-286.
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Wang, H., DuBois, D. W., Tobery, A. N., Griffith, W. H., Brandt, P., & Frye, G. D.
(2013).
Long-lasting distortion of GABA signaling in MS/DB neurons after binge-like ethanol exposure during initial synaptogenesis. BRAIN RESEARCH.
1520, 36-50.
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Damborsky, J. C., Griffith, W. H., & Winzer-Serhan, U. H.
(2012).
Chronic neonatal nicotine exposure increases excitation in the young adult rat hippocampus in a sex-dependent manner. BRAIN RESEARCH.
1430, 8-17.
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Murchison, D., McDermott, A. N., Lasarge, C. L., Peebles, K. A., Bizon, J. L., & Griffith, W. H.
(2009).
Enhanced calcium buffering in F344 rat cholinergic basal forebrain neurons is associated with age-related cognitive impairment. Journal of Neurophysiology.
102(4), 2194-2207.
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Bizon, J. L., LaSarge, C. L., Montgomery, K. S., McDermott, A. N., Setlow, B., & Griffith, W. H.
(2009).
Spatial reference and working memory across the lifespan of male Fischer 344 rats. Neurobiology of Aging.
30(4), 646-655.
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Huang, L. Z., Liu, X., Griffith, W. H., & Winzer-Serhan, U. H.
(2007).
Chronic neonatal nicotine increases anxiety but does not impair cognition in adult rats. BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE.
121(6), 1342-1352.
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Murchison, D., & Griffith, W. H.
(2007).
Calcium buffering systems and calcium signaling in aged rat basal forebrain neurons. Aging Cell.
6(3), 297-305.
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LaSarge, C. L., Montgomery, K. S., Tucker, C., Slaton, G. S., Griffith, W. H., Setlow, B., & Bizon, J. L.
(2007).
Deficits across multiple cognitive domains in a subset of aged Fischer 344 rats. Neurobiology of Aging.
28(6), 928-936.
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Etheredge, J. A., Murchison, D., Abbott, L. C., & Griffith, W. H.
(2007).
Functional compensation by other voltage-gated Ca2+ channels in mouse basal forebrain neurons with Ca(V)2.1 mutations. BRAIN RESEARCH.
1140(1), 105-119.
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Nahm, S., Farnell, Y. Z., Griffith, W., & Earnest, D. J.
(2005).
Circadian regulation and function of voltage-dependent calcium channels in the suprachiasmatic nucleus. 25(40), 9304-9308.
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Han, S., Murchison, D., & Griffith, W. H.
(2005).
Low voltage-activated calcium and fast tetrodotoxin-resistant sodium currents define subtypes of cholinergic and noncholinergic neurons in rat basal forebrain. 134(2), 226-238.
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Nahm, S., Jung, K., Enger, M. K., Griffith, W. H., & Abbott, L. C.
(2005).
Differential expression of T-type calcium channels in P/Q-type calcium channel mutant mice with ataxia and absence epilepsy. Developmental Neurobiology.
62(3), 352-360.
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Murchison, D., Zawieja, D. C., & Griffith, W. H.
(2004).
Reduced mitochondrial buffering of voltage-gated calcium influx in aged rat basal forebrain neurons. Cell Calcium.
36(1), 61-75.
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Jung, K., Dean, D., Jiang, J., Gaylor, S., Griffith, W. H., Burghardt, R. C., & Parrish, A. R.
(2004).
Loss of N-cadherin and alpha-catenin in the proximal tubules of aging male Fischer 344 rats. Mechanisms of Ageing and Development.
125(6), 445-453.
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Griffith, W. H.
(2002).
Quest for ion channel modulation by free radicals during brain aging. Neurobiology of Aging.
23(5), 835-836.
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Murchison, D., Dove, L. S., Abbott, L. C., & Griffith, W. H.
(2002).
Homeostatic compensation maintains Ca2+ signaling functions in Purkinje neurons in the leaner mutant mouse. The Cerebellum: an international journal from neurosciences to clinical perspectives.
1(2), 119-127.
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Han, S., McCool, B. A., Murchison, D., Nahm, S., Parrish, A. R., & Griffith, W. H.
(2002).
Single-cell RT-PCR detects shifts in mRNA expression profiles of basal forebrain neurons during aging. 98(1-2), 67-80.
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Griffith, W. H., Jasek, M. C., Bain, S. H., & Murchison, D.
(2000).
Modification of ion channels and calcium homeostasis of basal forebrain neurons during aging. Behavioural Brain Research.
115(2), 219-233.
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Dove, L. S., Nahm, S. S., Murchison, D., Abbott, L. C., & Griffith, W. H.
(2000).
Altered calcium homeostasis in cerebellar Purkinje cells of leaner mutant mice. Journal of Neurophysiology.
84(1), 513-524.
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Murchison, D., & Griffith, W. H.
(2000).
Mitochondria buffer non-toxic calcium loads and release calcium through the mitochondrial permeability transition pore and sodium/calcium exchanger in rat basal forebrain neurons. BRAIN RESEARCH.
854(1-2), 139-151.
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Murchison, D., & Griffith, W. H.
(1999).
Age-related alterations in caffeine-sensitive calcium stores and mitochondrial buffering in rat basal forebrain. Cell Calcium.
25(6), 439-452.
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Dove, L. S., Abbott, L. C., & Griffith, W. H.
(1998).
Whole-cell and single-channel analysis of P-type calcium currents in cerebellar Purkinje cells of leaner mutant mice. The Journal of Neuroscience.
18(19), 7687-7699.
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Murchison, D., & Griffith, W. H.
(1998).
Increased calcium buffering in basal forebrain neurons during aging. Journal of Neurophysiology.
80(1), 350-364.
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Jasek, M. C., & Griffith, W. H.
(1998).
Pharmacological characterization of ionotropic excitatory amino acid receptors in young and aged rat basal forebrain. Neuroscience.
82(4), 1179-1194.
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Grover, C. A., Jasek, M. C., Frye, G. D., & Griffith, W. H.
(1997).
Ethanol inhibition of reduced frequency-dependent rundown of calcium currents in acutely dissociated MS/nDB neurons from chronic in vivo lead-exposed adult rats. NeuroToxicology.
18(1), 179-190.
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Hall, S. C., & Griffith, W. H.
(1997).
Calcium channel types mediating synaptic transmission during aging. BRAIN RESEARCH.
745(1-2), 339-342.
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Murchison, D., & Griffith, W. H.
(1996).
High-voltage-activated calcium currents in basal forebrain neurons during aging. Journal of Neurophysiology.
76(1), 158-174.
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Sim, J. A., & Griffith, W. H.
(1996).
Muscarinic inhibition of glutamatergic transmissions onto rat magnocellular basal forebrain neurons in a thin-slice preparation. European Journal of Neuroscience.
8(5), 880-891.
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Murchison, D., & Griffith, W. H.
(1995).
Low-voltage activated calcium currents increase in basal forebrain neurons from aged rats. Journal of Neurophysiology.
74(2), 876-887.
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Griffith, W. H., & Murchison, D. A.
(1995).
Enhancement of GABA-activated membrane currents in aged Fischer 344 rat basal forebrain neurons. 15(3 Pt 2), 2407-2416.
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Frye, G. D., Taylor, L., Grover, C. A., Fincher, A. S., & Griffith, W. H.
(1995).
Acute ethanol dependence or long-term ethanol treatment and abstinence do not reduce hippocampal responses to carbachol. ALCOHOL.
12(1), 29-36.
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GRIFFITH, W. H., & MURCHISON, D. A.
(1995).
ENHANCEMENT OF GABA-ACTIVATED MEMBRANE CURRENTS IN AGED FISCHER-344 RAT BASAL FOREBRAIN NEURONS. The Journal of Neuroscience.
15(3), 2407-2416.
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Griffith, W. H., & Murchison, D. A.
(1995).
Erratum: Enhancement of GABA-activated membrane currents in aged Fischer 344 rat basal forebrain neurons (Journal of Neuroscience (March 1995) (2407- 2416)). The Journal of Neuroscience.
15(7 I),
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Griffith, W. H., Taylor, L., & Davis, M. J.
(1994).
Whole-cell and single-channel calcium currents in guinea pig basal forebrain neurons. Journal of Neurophysiology.
71(6), 2359-2376.
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Grover, C. A., Frye, G. D., & Griffith, W. H.
(1994).
Acute tolerance to ethanol inhibition of NMDA-mediated EPSPs in the CA1 region of the rat hippocampus. BRAIN RESEARCH.
642(1-2), 70-76.
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Frye, G. D., Fincher, A. S., Grover, C. A., & Griffith, W. H.
(1994).
Interaction of ethanol and allosteric modulators with GABAA-activated currents in adult medial septum/diagonal band neurons. BRAIN RESEARCH.
635(1-2), 283-292.
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Taylor, L., & Griffith, W. H.
(1993).
Age-related decline in cholinergic synaptic transmission in hippocampus. Neurobiology of Aging.
14(5), 509-515.
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Griffith, W. H., Sim, J. A., & Matthews, R. T.
(1991).
Electrophysiologic characteristics of basal forebrain neurons in vitro. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology.
295, 143-155.
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Sim, J. A., & Griffith, W. H.
(1991).
Muscarinic agonists block a late-afterhyperpolarization in medial septum/diagonal band neurons in vitro. NEUROSCIENCE LETTERS.
129(1), 63-68.
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Frye, G. D., Taylor, L., Trzeciakowski, J. P., & Griffith, W. H.
(1991).
Effects of acute and chronic ethanol treatment on pre- and postsynaptic responses to baclofen in rat hippocampus. BRAIN RESEARCH.
560(1-2), 84-91.
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Griffith, W. H., & Sim, J. A.
(1990).
Comparison of 4-aminopyridine and tetrahydroaminoacridine on basal forebrain neurons. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics.
255(3), 986-993.
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Griffith, W. H.
(1990).
Voltage-clamp analysis of posttetanic potentiation of the mossy fiber to CA3 synapse in hippocampus. Journal of Neurophysiology.
63(3), 491-501.
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Frye, G. D., Fincher, A. S., Lorenzetti, M., Trzeciakowski, J., & Griffith, W. H.
(1990).
Comparison of contractile responses of the guinea pig ileum longitudinal muscle to ethanol and GABAA agonists. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics.
252(2), 474-481.
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Brown, D. A., Ghwiler, B. H., Griffith, W. H., & Halliwell, J. V.
(1990).
Membrane currents in hippocampal neurons. Progress in Brain Research.
83(C), 141-160.
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Griffith, W. H., & Taylor, L.
(1988).
Phenytoin reduces excitatory synaptic transmission and post-tetanic potentiation in the in vitro hippocampus. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics.
246(3), 851-858.
-
Griffith, W. H.
(1988).
Membrane properties of cell types within guinea pig basal forebrain nuclei in vitro. Journal of Neurophysiology.
59(5), 1590-1612.
-
Griffith, W. H., & Taylor, L.
(1988).
Sodium valproate decreases synaptic potentiation and epileptiform activity in hippocampus. BRAIN RESEARCH.
474(1), 155-164.
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Griffith, W. H., Hills, J. M., & Brown, D. A.
(1988).
Substance P-mediated membrane currents in voltage-clamped guinea pig inferior mesenteric ganglion cells. Synapse (New York).
2(4), 432-441.
-
Griffith, W. H.
(1987).
Instrumentation for preparing brain slices used in electrophysiological recordings. JOURNAL OF ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL TECHNIQUES.
14(1), 69-75.
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Griffith, W. H., & Matthews, R. T.
(1986).
Electrophysiology of AChE-positive neurons in basal forebrain slices. NEUROSCIENCE LETTERS.
71(2), 169-174.
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Griffith, W. H., Brown, T. H., & Johnston, D.
(1986).
Voltage-clamp analysis of synaptic inhibition during long-term potentiation in hippocampus. Journal of Neurophysiology.
55(4), 767-775.
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Brown, D. A., Adams, P. R., Jones, S. W., Griffith, W. H., Hills, J., & Constanti, A.
(1985).
Some ionic mechanisms of slow peptidergic neuronal excitation. Regulatory Peptides.
10(SUPPL. 2), 165-171.
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Brown, D. A., & Griffith, W. H.
(1983).
Calcium-activated outward current in voltage-clamped hippocampal neurones of the guinea-pig. Journal of Physiology.
337(1), 287-301.
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Brown, D. A., & Griffith, W. H.
(1983).
Persistent slow inward calcium current in voltage-clamped hippocampal neurones of the guinea-pig. Journal of Physiology.
337(1), 303-320.
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Gallagher, J. P., Griffith, W. H., & Shinnick-Gallagher, P.
(1982).
Cholinergic transmission in cat parasympathetic ganglia. Journal of Physiology.
332(1), 473-486.
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Shinnick-Gallagher, P., Yoshimura, M., Griffith, W. H., & Gallagher, J. P.
(1982).
Possible endogenous catecholamine modulation of the slow inhibitory postsynaptic potential (S-IPSP) in parasympathetic ganglia. FEDERATION PROCEEDINGS.
41(4),
-
Griffith, W. H., Gallagher, J. P., & Shinnick-Gallagher, P.
(1981).
Sucrose-gap recordings of nerve-evoked potentials in mammalian parasympathetic ganglia. BRAIN RESEARCH.
209(2), 446-451.
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Gallagher, J. P., Shinnick-Gallagher, P., Cole, A. E., Griffith, W. H., & Williams, B. J.
(1980).
Current hypotheses for the slow inhibitory postsynaptic potential in sympathetic ganglia. FEDERATION PROCEEDINGS.
39(12), 3009-3015.
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Griffith, W. H., Gallagher, J. P., & Shinnick-Gallagher, P.
(1980).
An intracellular investigation of cat vesical pelvic ganglia. Journal of Neurophysiology.
43(2), 343-354.
-
Griffith, W. H., Gallagher, J. P., & Shinnick-Gallagher, P.
(1979).
Action of norepinephrine on neuronal activity recorded from cat parasympathetic ganglia. FEDERATION PROCEEDINGS.
38(3 I),
-
Williams, B. J., Griffith, W. H., & Albrecht, C. M.
(1978).
The protective effect of phentolamine against cardiac arrhythmias in the rat. European Journal of Pharmacology.
49(1), 7-14.
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Williams, B. J., Griffith, W. H., Albrecht, C. M., Pirch, J. H., & Hejtmancik, M. R.
(1977).
Effects of chronic lead treatment on some cardiovascular responses to norepinephrine in the rat. TOXICOLOGY AND APPLIED PHARMACOLOGY.
40(3), 407-413.
-
Bang, E., Fincher, A. S., Nader, S., Murchison, D. A., & Griffith, W. H.
(2022).
Late-Onset, Short-Term Intermittent Fasting Reverses Age-Related Changes in Calcium Buffering and Inhibitory Synaptic Transmission in Mouse Basal Forebrain Neurons. 42(6), 1020-1034.
-
chapter
-
Griffith, W. H., Han, S., McCool, B. A., & Murchison, D.
(2006).
Molecules and Membrane Activity: Single-Cell RT-PCR and Patch-Clamp Recording from Central Neurons. Neuroanatomical Tract-Tracing 3.
(pp. 142-174).
Springer Nature.
-
Shinnick-Gallagher, P., Gallagher, J. P., & Griffith, W. H.
(1986).
Inhibition in Parasympathetic Ganglia. Autonomic and Enteric Ganglia.
(pp. 353-367).
Springer Nature.
-
Griffith, W. H., Gallagher, J. P., & Gallagher, P. S.
(1981).
MAMMALIAN PARASYMPATHETIC GANGLIA FIRE SPONTANEOUS ACTION POTENTIALS AND TRANSMIT SLOW SYNAPTIC POTENTIALS. Physiology of Excitable Membranes.
(pp. 347-350).
Elsevier.
-
Griffith, W. H., Han, S., McCool, B. A., & Murchison, D.
(2006).
Molecules and Membrane Activity: Single-Cell RT-PCR and Patch-Clamp Recording from Central Neurons. Neuroanatomical Tract-Tracing 3.
(pp. 142-174).
Springer Nature.
-
conference paper
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Pal, S., Meininger, C. J., Gasheva, O., Griffith, W., Zawieja, D. C., & Gashev, A. A.
(2018).
Aging-associated alterations in lymphatic vessels and mast cells in perilymphatic tissues. Journal of Immunology.
-
Carver, C., Wu, X., Murchison, D., Griffith, W., & Reddy, D. S.
(2012).
Ovarian cycle-related effects of neurosteroids on GABA-A receptor-mediated phasic and tonic currents in the hippocampus. The FASEB Journal.
1048.3-1048.3.
-
Schilling, M., Durdin, T., Abbott, L. C., & Griffith, W. H.
(2011).
Ultrastructural analysis of the cellular distribution of mitochondria in cholinergic basal forebrain neurons during aging in the mouse. The FASEB Journal.
677.15-677.15.
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Wang, H., Griffith, W. H., McDermott, A. N., Murchison, D., & Frye, G. D.
(2008).
Maturation and Pharmacological Properties of Postsynaptic GABAA Receptors. The FASEB Journal.
1127.12-1127.12.
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Pal, S., Meininger, C. J., Gasheva, O., Griffith, W., Zawieja, D. C., & Gashev, A. A.
(2018).
Aging-associated alterations in lymphatic vessels and mast cells in perilymphatic tissues. Journal of Immunology.
Research
principal investigator on
- Optogenetic Approaches to Study Complex Neuronal Circuits During Cognitive Aging awarded by National Institutes of Health - (Bethesda, Maryland, United States) 2014 - 2021
- Mast cell/histamine-mediated inflammation and subsequent decrease of lymphatic amyloid beta clearance accelerate progression of Alzheimer's disease awarded by National Institutes of Health - (Bethesda, Maryland, United States) 2019 - 2020
- Estrogens, Ovarian Aging and Calcium Channel Modulation awarded by National Institutes of Health - (Bethesda, Maryland, United States) 2012 - 2017
co-principal investigator on
- Mast cell/histamine-mediated inflammation and subsequent decrease of lymphatic amyloid beta clearance accelerate progression of Alzheimer's disease awarded by National Institutes of Health - (Bethesda, Maryland, United States) 2019 - 2020
- Mast cell/histamine-mediated inflammation and subsequent decrease of lymphatic amyloid beta clearance accelerate progression of Alzheimer's disease awarded by National Institutes of Health - (Bethesda, Maryland, United States) 2019 - 2020
- The Interaction of Varenicline, Ethanol, and CNS Development awarded by National Institutes of Health - (Bethesda, Maryland, United States) 2015 - 2017
investigator on
Teaching
teaching activities
- MSCI691 Research Credit: Medical Sci Instructor
- NRSC485 Directed Studies Instructor
- NRSC491 Hnr-research Instructor
- NRSC691 Research Instructor
Works By Students
chaired theses and dissertations
-
Savjani, Ricky R (2018-01). Functional Organization of the Human Brain: How We See, Feel, and Decide..
Background
education and training
- Ph.D. in Pharmacology and Toxicology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston - (Galveston, Texas, United States) 1980
- M.S. in Biology, Lamar University - (Beaumont, Texas, United States) 1975
- B.S. in Biology, Lamar University - (Beaumont, Texas, United States) 1973
- Baylor College of Medicine - (Houston, Texas, United States) , Postdoctoral Training 1983
- University of London - (London, United Kingdom) , Postdoctoral Training 1982
awards and honors
Contact
first name
- William
has last name
- Griffith
mailing address
-
Texas A&M Health Science Center
Neuroscience & Experimental Therapeutics
1359 TAMUS
Bryan, TX 77807-3260
USA
Other
- whgriff@tamu.edu