Research Interest
Circadian rhythms are important physiological functions that manifest a 24-hour period, including the sleep-wake cycle, body temperature, endocrine, and the immune functions. In human beings, every organ system exhibits a highly organized 24-hour rhythm. The circadian rhythms of individual organs are synchronized by a master circadian clock located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus, so that every organ can reach their peak performance at the appropriate time of the day.
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a debilitating neurodegenerative disorder that affects 4.5 million people in the United States. In addition to the progressive impairment of memory, alertness, mood, and other cognitive functions, AD patients often exhibit altered sleep-wake pattern and circadian rhythms. Despite intensive studies, the pathogenesis of this tragic illness remains elusive and effective therapies have yet to be discovered.
The primary focus of my work in Dr. Ding's lab is to observe the alteration of circadian rhythm in AD and to investigate the possible mechanism by using different methods, including transgenic animal model, the behavior test, electrophysiology and molecular biology, etc.
Education and Training
Lecturer, Department of Physiology, Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi, China.
Ph.D, Physiology, Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi, China.
M.D, Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi, China.
Publications
Zhang JM, Wu MN, Qi JS, Qiao JT. Amyloid β-Protein Fragment 31-35 Suppresses Long-Term Potentiation in Hippocampal CA1 Region of Rats in Vivo. Synapse. 2006, 60(4): 307–313.
Wu MN, He YX, Guo F, Qi JS. Alpha4beta2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors are required for the amyloid beta protein-induced suppression of long-term potentiation in rat hippocampal CA1 region in vivo. Bain Res Bull. 2008, 77 (2-3):84-90.
Wu MN, Li YX, Guo F, Qi JS.Involvement of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in amyloid β-fragment-induced intracellular Ca2+ elevation in cultured rat cortical neurons. Acta Physiologica Sinica. 2009; 61 (6):517-525.
Pan YF, Chen XR, Wu MN, Ma CG, Qi JS.Arginine Vasopressin Prevents Against Aβ25-35-Induced Impairment of Spatial Learning and Memory in Rats. Hormones and Behavior. 2010, 57(4-5):448-54.
Guo F, Jing W, Ma CG, Wu MN, Zhang JF, Li XY, Qi JS. Gly14]-Humanin rescues long-term potentiation from amyloid β protein-induced impairment in the rat hippocampal CA1 region in vivo. Synapse. 2010, 64(1):83-91.
