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Psychology > Faculty & Staff > A. Michael Babcock
A. Michael Babcock, Ph.D.
Research Interests
The primary goal of our research is to contribute to a better understanding of why the hippocampus is sensitive to transient cerebral ischemia. During transient cerebral ischemia, intracellular calcium increases initiating a cascade of events which leads to the delayed death of neurons located in the hippocampus. Our lab is studying the role of calcium targets in mediating hippocampal damage. Behavioral deficits associated with cerebral ischemia in animal models provide a useful tool for understanding the role hippocampus in learning and memory. Our lab uses a variety of these paradigms in conjunction with traditional neuroscience techniques.
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A second area of research involves efforts to address health disparities among Native Americans in Montana. I serve as the Education Core Director for the Center for Native Health Partnerships (CNHP). This Center is funded by a $6.5M grant from the National Institute on Health and Health Disparities (NIH). My work on this project includes maintaining our website, conducting and producing monthly seminars, and coordinating a summer research student program. To learn more about the CNHP, visit our webpage here.
Education
Postdoctoral Fellow, Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology and Brain Research Institute, Dept. of Anatomy, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA.
Ph.D. Experimental Psychology (1985), Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.
B.S. Psychology (1981), Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.
Recent Publications
- Babcock, A.M., Coombs, K., Standing,
D., Bullshields, K., Spencer, K., Poulsen, D.J. Impairment
in a delayed matching-to-place task following intrahippocampal
infusion of AAV encoding EAAC1 antisense. In Preparation.
- Rau, T., Babcock, A.M., Wells-Painea,
S., Awesa, A, Weeden, C., Bullshields, K., Coombs,
K., McNeill, D. Babcock, A.M., Poulsen, D.J. Methamphetamine
exerts a neuroprotective effect in the hippocampus
after transient hypoxia/ischemia. Submitted.
- Babcock, A.M., Standing, D., Bullshields,
K., Spencer, K., Micevych, P.E., Poulsen, D.J. (2006).
Over expression of hippocampal Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent
protein kinase II improves spatial memory. Journal
of Neuroscience Research Online.
- Babcock, A.M., Standing, D. Bullshields, K., Schwartz,
E., C.M. Paden, Poulsen, D.J. (2005). In
vivo inhibition of hippocampal Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent
protein kinase II by RNA interference. Molecular
Therapy. 11:899-905
PubMed
- Babcock, A.M., Wright, J., Bjerkness, D., Hartman,
H. & Tall Bear, N. (2002). Effects of prior apparatus
experience and novelty of testing environment on locomotor
activity following MK-801. Physiology and Behavior
, 77:177-181.
PubMed
- Babcock A.M., Everingham, A., Paden, C.M. &
Kimura, M. (2002). Baclofen is neuroprotective and
prevents loss of calcium/calmodulin dependent protein
kinase II immunoreactivity in the ischemic gerbil
hippocampus. Journal of Neuroscience Research
67:804-811. PubMed
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Babcock, A.M., Liu, H. Paden, C.M., Churn, S.B.
& Pittman, A. (1999). In vivo glutamate
neurotoxicity is associated with reductions in calcium/calmodulin-dependent
protein kinase II immunoreactivity. Journal of
Neuroscience Research 56:36-43. PubMed
Courses Taught
- PSY 301 Physiological Psychology
- PSY 311 Sensation & Perception
- PSY 539 Physiological Processes
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