Sanika Chirwa, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Neurobiology and Neurotoxicology
Director of Graduate Studies, Neuroscience Program
Adjunct Associate Professor, Vanderbilt University
Director of Graduate Studies, Neuroscience program

(615) 327-6934
West Basic Sciences Building Room 3234
1005 Dr. D.B. Todd Boulevard
Nashville, TN  37208

schirwa@mmc.edu

Lab URL

CV or Bio (PDF)

Ph.D. degree, Pharmacology, University of British Columbia, Canada, 1988
Postdoctoral Scholar at the Brain Research Institute, UCLA, Los Angeles, California USA

Dr. Chirwa’s lab investigates the mechanisms underlying the modification of mature synapses in the brain, to establish the signaling pathways that couple neural activity and new gene expression to coordinated changes in synaptic connections that may result in improved neuron-to-neuron communication (e.g., long-term potentiation) and, hence, enhanced learning and memory. The basic hypothesis under study in their lab is that Dopamine D1 receptor pathways couple neural activity and gene expression to orchestrate the stabilization of synaptic memory. Their research utilizes discrete electrophysiological techniques in vivo in conjunction with molecular assays (real time PCR, antisense gene knockdown, cRNA microarray analysis, quantitative Westerns, immunocytochemistry) and basic histology (retrograde cell labeling, Nissl stains) to address their questions. Their studies are intended to provide definitive new information on the pathways linking neural activity and gene expression underpinning synaptic plasticity, and establish whether the Dopamine D1 receptor is both necessary and sufficient to induce LTP maintenance. Understanding these pathways could identify novel targets to enhance synaptic fidelity and concomitant cognitive enhancement after brain injury or disease (e.g. stroke, Alzheimers' disease, Parkinsonism) or to modulate addictive behaviors.

Williams S, Mmbaga N, Chirwa S.   Dopaminergic D(1) receptor agonist SKF 38393 induces GAP-43 expression and long-term potentiation in hippocampus in vivo. Neurosci Lett. 10;402:46-50, 2006.

Chirwa S, Aduonum A, Pizarro J, Reasor J, Kawai Y, Gonzalez M, McAdory BS, Onaivi E, Barea-Rodriguez EJ. Dopaminergic DA1 signaling couples growth associated protein-43 and long-term potentiation in guinea pig hippocampus. Brain Res. Bulletin, 64, 433-440, 2005.

Wormley DD, Chirwa S, Nayyar T, Wu J, Johnson S, Brown LN, Harris E, Hood DB. Inhaled Benzo(A)pyrene impais long-term potentiation in the F1 generation rat dentate gyrus,  Cell Mol. Biol. 50, 715-721, 2004.

Chirwa SS; Mack J; Park H; Dennis K; Aduonum A. An in vivo model for investigating bilateral synaptic plasticity across CA3/CA1 synapses in guinea pig dorsal hippocampus.  J. Neurosci. Meth. 110: 25-30; 2001.