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Anne-Marie Brady, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow

I am interested in the neuronal basis of information processing in the nucleus accumbens, particularly the effects of converging glutamatergic and dopaminergic inputs on accumbens cell activity. I am currently investigating the ability of VTA dopaminergic afferents to modify accumbens cell activity in response to stimulation of the prefrontal cortex (PFC), one of the major glutamatergic inputs to the accumbens. The use of intracellular recording techniques allows me to observe cell activity at the level of sub-threshold shifts in membrane potential. This is important since many accumbens neurons exhibit a bistable state characterized by a slow alternation between depolarized up and more hyperpolarized down states. Preliminary findings indicate that in accumbens neurons, the amplitude of EPSPs evoked by PFC stimulation is dampened when PFC stimulation is immediately preceded by stimulation of the VTA. Ongoing experiments are investigating the dependence of this effect on dopaminergic receptor activity.

I am also interested in the neurophysiological basis of behavioral sensitization. Following chronic administration of psychostimulant drugs, animals exhibit a potentiated level of locomotor activity in response to a challenge dose. I am currently conducting intracellular recordings in accumbens neurons in animals that have received repeated injections of methamphetamine. I am investigating baseline activity of these neurons, as well as neuronal responses to PFC and VTA stimulation, before and after an acute challenge dose of methamphetamine.

CV:

Anne-Marie Brady, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow
Center for Neuropharmacology and Neuroscience
Albany Medical College, MC-136
47 New Scotland Ave.
Email: bradyam@mail.amc.edu Albany, NY 12208
Web: www.odonnell-lab.net (518) 262-5903

Education
Doctor of Philosophy, Psychology (Neuroscience minor), Ohio State University, 2000.
Master of Arts, Psychology, Ohio State University, 1997.
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, summa cum laude, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, 1993.

Research Experience
Postdoctoral Fellow, Albany Medical College, 2000 – present.
Graduate Research Associate, Psychobiology, Ohio State University, 1994 – 2000.
Undergraduate Research Assistant, Experimental Psychology, St. Mary’s College, 1992 – 1993.

Teaching Experience
Adjunct Professor, Pathophysiology I, Albany College of Pharmacy, 2003.
Adjunct Professor, Introductory Psychology, Sage College of Albany, 2002 – present.
Lab Assistant, Neuroanatomy, Medical Education, Albany Medical College, 2000 – present.
Lecturer, Nurse Anesthesist Master’s Degree Program, Albany Medical College, 2000 – 2001.
Guest Lecturer, Introductory and Advanced Psychobiology, Ohio State University, 1998 – 1999.
Graduate Teaching Associate, General Psychology, Ohio State University, 1996 – 1998.

Research Funding and Fellowships
Individual National Research Service Award (NRSA), NIDA, October 2001 – September 2003.
Postdoctoral Fellowship, NIDA Institutional Training Grant, Albany Medical College, 2000.
Presidential Fellowship, Ohio State University, 1999.
Phi Kappa Phi Graduate Enrichment Award, Ohio State University Chapter, 1998.
Research and Graduate Council University Fellowship, Ohio State University, 1994 - 1996.

Honors and Awards
Travel Fellowship, New York Academy of Sciences, April 2003.
Best Non-Student Poster Award, Dopamine 2002, July 2002.
Travel Award, 9th International Conference on In Vivo Methods, June 2001.
Travel Grant, Committee on Institutional Cooperation: Women in Science and Engineering, 1999.
Travel Award, 8th International Conference on In Vivo Methods, June 1999.
Preparing Future Faculty (PFF) Fellowship, Ohio State University, March 1999.
Phi Kappa Phi Graduate Enrichment Award, Ohio State University Chapter, 1998.
Citizenship Award, General Psychology, Ohio State University, June 1998.
Research and Graduate Council University Fellowship, Ohio State University, 1994 - 1996.
Psychology/Human Development Major Award, St. Mary’s College, 1993.
Elected to Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges, 1993.
Junior and Senior St. Mary’s Scholar, St. Mary’s College, 1992-1993.
Brent-Calvert Fellowship, St. Mary’s College Honors Program, 1989 - 1993.
Maryland Distinguished Scholar, 1989 - 1993.
Publications and Manuscripts

Brady, A.M., and O’Donnell, P. Dopaminergic modulation of prefrontal cortical input to nucleus accumbens neurons in vivo. Manuscript in preparation.

Brady, A.M. (2003). Overcoming our fears. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 4, 5.

Himmelheber, A.M., Sarter., and Bruno, J.P. (2001). The effects of manipulations of attentional demand on cortical acetylcholine release. Cognitive Brain Research, 12, 353-370.

Himmelheber, A.M., Bruno, J.P., and Sarter, M. (2000). Effects of intra-accumbens infusions of amphetamine or cis-flupenthixol on sustained attention performance in rats. Behavioural Brain Research, 116, 123-133.

Himmelheber, A.M., Sarter, M., and Bruno, J.P. (2000). Increases in cortical acetylcholine release during sustained attention performance in rats. Cognitive Brain Research, 9, 313-325.

Bruno, J.P., Sarter, M., Arnold, H.M., and Himmelheber, A.M. (1999). In vivo neurochemical correlates of cognitive processes: Methodological and conceptual challenges. Reviews in the Neurosciences, 10, 25-48.

Himmelheber, A.M., Fadel, J., Sarter, M., and Bruno, J.P. (1998). Effects of local cholinesterase inhibition on acetylcholine release assessed simultaneously in prefrontal and frontoparietal cortex. Neuroscience, 86, 949-957.

Himmelheber, A.M., Sarter, M., and Bruno, J.P. (1997). Operant performance and cortical acetylcholine release: Role of response rate, reward density, and non-contingent stimuli. Cognitive Brain Research, 6, 23-36.

Sarter, M., Bruno, J.P., and Himmelheber, A.M. (1997). Cortical acetylcholine and attention: Neuropharmacological and cognitive principles directing treatment strategies for cognitive disorders. In J.E. Brioni and M.W. Decker (Eds.), Pharmacological Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease: Molecular and Neurobiological Foundations (pp. 105-128). New York: John Wiley.

Published Abstracts and Presentations

Brady, A.M., and O’Donnell, P. (2003). Stimulation of the ventral tegmental area suppresses prefrontal cortical input to nucleus accumbens neurons via D2 receptors. Society for Neuroscience, 2003, submitted.

Brady, A.M., Glick, S.D., and O’Donnell, P. Changes in electrophysiological properties of nucleus accumbens neurons depend on the extent of behavioral sensitization to chronic methamphetamine. Glutamate and Disorders of Cognition and Motivation: A New York Academy of Sciences Conference, New Haven, Connecticut, April 2003.

Himmelheber, A.M., Glick, S.D., and O’Donnell, P. Electrophysiology of nucleus accumbens neurons after chronic administration of methamphetamine. Program No. 461.8. 2002 Abstract Viewer/Itinerary Planner. Washington, DC: Society for Neuroscience, 2002. Online.
Himmelheber, A.M., and O’Donnell, P. Attenuation of prefrontal cortical input to nucleus accumbens neurons by ventral tegmental area stimulation. Dopamine 2002, Portland, Oregon, July 2002.

Himmelheber, A.M., and O’Donnell, P. (2002) Modulation of prefrontal cortex-nucleus accumbens synaptic responses by stimulation of the ventral tegmental area in vivo. 35th Winter Conference on Brain Research, Snowmass, Colorado, January 2002.

O'Donnell, P, Goto, Y. and Himmelheber, A.M. (2001) Limbic-cortical integration in the nucleus accumbens: in vivo electrophysiological studies. 40th Annual Meeting of the American College of Neuropharmacology, Waikoloa, Hawaii, December 2001.

Himmelheber, A.M., and O’Donnell, P. (2001). Stimulation of the ventral tegmental area affects prefrontal cortex-nucleus accumbens synaptic responses in vivo. Society for Neuroscience Abstracts, 27, Program No. 67.14.

Himmelheber, A.M., and O’Donnell, P. (2001). Effects of ventral tegmental area stimulation on synaptic responses to prefrontal cortex stimulation in nucleus accumbens in vivo. Monitoring Molecules in Neuroscience: Proceedings of the 9th International Conference on In Vivo Methods, 213-214.

Himmelheber, A.M., Hodgson, E.M., Sarter, M., and Bruno, J.P. (2000). Effects of manipulations of attentional demand on cortical acetylcholine release in task-performing rats. Society for Neuroscience Abstracts, 26, 2225.

Himmelheber, A.M., Sarter, M., and Bruno, J.P. (1999). Sustained attention performance is associated with cortical acetylcholine release in rats. Society for Neuroscience Abstracts, 25, 1895.

Bruno, J.P., Himmelheber, A.M., and Sarter, M. (1999). Effects of intra-accumbens infusions of amphetamine or flupenthixol on sustained attention in rats. Society for Neuroscience Abstracts, 25, 1895.

Himmelheber, A.M., Sarter, M., and Bruno, J.P. (1999). Cortical acetylcholine release during vigilance performance in rats. Monitoring Molecules in Neuroscience: Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on In Vivo Methods, 141-142.

Himmelheber, A.M., Sarter, M., and Bruno, J.P. (1998). Cortical acetylcholine release during performance of a vigilance task in rats. Society for Neuroscience Abstracts, 24, 2128.

Sarter, M., Himmelheber, A.M., and Bruno, J.P. (1998). Infusions of dopaminergic ligands into the nucleus accumbens: Effects on vigilance performance in rats. Society for Neuroscience Abstracts, 24, 2128.

Sarter, M., Bruno, J.P., Fadel, J., Miner, L.A.H., Himmelheber, A.M., McGaughy, J., and Turchi, J. (1998). Afferent regulation of cortical acetylcholine and cognitive function. Annual Meeting of the British Association of Psychopharmacology, Cambridge, England, July 1998.

Himmelheber, A.M., Fadel, J., Sarter, M., and Bruno, J.P. (1997). The parallel assessment of acetylcholine efflux in two cortical areas: Effects of tactile stimulation and cholinesterase inhibition. Society for Neuroscience Abstracts, 23, 2016.

Himmelheber, A.M., Katovic, N.M., Sarter, M., and Bruno, J.P. (1996). Cortical acetylcholine efflux and operant performance: Role of attentional and non-attentional components. Society for Neuroscience Abstracts, 22, 436.

Bruno, J.P., Sarter, M., Himmelheber, A.M., and Katovic, N.M. (1996). Cortical acetylcholine efflux and attention. Annual Meeting of the European Behavioral Pharmacology Society, Cagliari, Italy, May 1996.

Himmelheber, A.M., Moore, H., McGaughy, J., Givens, B., Bruno, J.P., and Sarter, M. (1995). Cortical acetylcholine efflux and single unit activity in rats performing operant procedures assessing behavioral vigilance or sensorimotor and motivational task components. Society for Neuroscience Abstracts, 21, 1945.

Academic Service

Panelist, Annual Postdoctoral Information Session, Albany Medical College, 2002 - 2003.
Graduate Associate Teaching Awards Committee, Ohio State University, Spring 2000.
Preparing Future Faculty Advisory Committee, Ohio State University, 1999 - 2000.
Panelist, Preparing Graduate Students for Professional Careers, Ohio State University, May 1999.
Judge, Undergraduate Research Forum, Ohio State University, May 1998.
Panelist, Psychology Undergraduate Research Colloquium, Ohio State University, April 1998.
Textbook Review Committee, General Psychology, Ohio State University, Spring 1998.
Peer Review of Teaching Evaluations, General Psychology, Ohio State University, Winter 1997.

Professional Activities

Ad-hoc reviewer, European Journal of Neuroscience, 2001 – present.
Grant reviewer, National Science Foundation, 2001 – present.

Professional Memberships

Society for Neuroscience
Hudson-Berkshire Chapter, Society for Neuroscience
Women in Neuroscience
American Psychological Association