Daniel V. Madison

Administrative Appointments

• Chair, Admissions Committee, Dept. Molecular and Cellular Physiology (2005 - 2007)
• Senator at large, Medical School Faculty Senate (2004 - 2006)
• Director of Admissions, Neurosciences Graduate Program (1997 - 2003)
• Executive Committee, Neurosciences Graduate Program (1995 - 2003)
• MSTP Admissions Committee, MSTP (1995 - 1999)
View All 9administrative appointments of Vernon Madison

Honors and Awards

• Young Investigator Award, Society for Neuroscience (.)
• Lucille P. Markey Scholar, Lucile P. Markey Charitable Trust (.)

Professional Education

Postdoctoral Advisees

Ananya Mitra

Graduate & Fellowship Program Affiliations

• Molecular and Cellular Physiology
• Neurosciences

Community & International Work

• MBL Neurobiology Course, Woods Hole, MA 

Web Site Links

• Madison Lab Home Page

Research Interests

Our laboratory uses electrophysiological techniques to study the mechanisms of synaptic transmission and plasticity in the mammalian hippocampus. One of the main focuses in the lab is in the study of synaptic long-term potentiation (LTP). LTP is the persistent increase in synaptic strength that occurs after a period of heavy activity in a synaptic connection. It is the most widely studied and compelling model for mechanisms underlying memory formation in the mammalian central nervous system. Most recently, we have been involved in studies of the intracellular messenger, nitric oxide. Nitric oxide appears to play a role both in inducing LTP and also in communicating LTP between groups of unconnected synapses, thus creating funcitonal domains of alterered synapses.

The other major focus of the lab is the study of the modulation and short term plasticity of inhibitory synaptic transmission in the hippocampus by different neurotransmitter systems. Projects under this focus include studies on the modulatory properties of norepinesphrine, acetylcholine and opiates on hippocampal inhibitory circuitry and transmitter release.

Studies in the lab are carried out using a full range of electrophysiological techniques including extracellular field potential recording, intracellular recording,whjole cell and single channel recording in hippocampal slices and cultured neurons.

Publications

• Presynaptic FMR1 genotype influences the degree of synaptic connectivity in a mosaic mouse model of fragile X syndrome. Hanson JE, Madison DV. J Neurosci. 2007; 27 (15): 4014-8
• The functional nature of synaptic circuitry is altered in area CA3 of the hippocampus in a mouse model of Down's syndrome. Hanson JE, Blank M, Valenzuela RA, Garner CC, Madison DV. J Physiol. 2007; 579 (Pt 1): 53-67
• Blocking polysynaptic inhibition via opioid receptor activation isolates excitatory synaptic currents without triggering epileptiform activity in organotypic hippocampal slices. Hanson JE, Emond MR, Madison DV. J Neurosci Methods. 2006; 150 (1): 8-15
• Toward a unified hypothesis of interneuronal modulation. Madison DV, McQuiston AR. J Physiol. 2006; 570 (Pt 3): 435
• Dynamin-dependent NMDAR endocytosis during LTD and its dependence on synaptic state. Montgomery JM, Selcher JC, Hanson JE, Madison DV. BMC Neurosci. 2005: 6 48