Biography
Swarthmore College, BA Biochemistry, 1986
Harvard University, 1987
University of Pennsylvania, Ph.D. Pharmacological Sciences (Neuropsychopharmacology), 1993
Research Interests
My research interests forge an integrated linkage between the fields of developmental molecular neurobiology, rehabilitation therapy, and behavioral pharmacology. I serve as the Scientific Director for the Behavioral Core Facility of The Spinal Cord Research Center. My primary research in collaboration with Drs. Marion Murray, Itzhak Fischer, Karen Moxon, Scott Stackhouse, and John Houle is in behavioral assessment of recovery of function from spinal cord injury.
We are examining the interaction between pharmacologic stimulation, rehabilitation training, and cellular transplants as combined intervention strategies to improve recovery of function in our rat spinal injury models. My secondary area of research involves a collaboration with Drs. Barry Waterhouse and Brian Clark to study the effects of Ritalin on the neurobiology of sustained attention in rats. Through these studies we are examining cortical mechanisms underlying cognitive enhancement and attentional processing.
Lab Members
Elizabeth Dugan, Ph.D. Candidate
2005-present
Thesis: A combination therapy promotes quipazine induced stepping in adult spinalized rats.
Laura Krisa, Ph.D. Candidate
2006-present
Thesis: Amphetamine enhanced motor training improves recovery of forelimb function following cervical contusion injury
Aaron Beck, MMS Candidate
2008-present
Thesis: Methylphenidate elicits individual differences in sustained attention.
Selected Publications
"Exercise induces cortical plasticity after neonatal spinal cord injury in the rat"
Kao T, Shumsky JS, Murray M, Moxon KA
J. Neurosci. in press.
"The effect of cervical dorsolateral funiculotemy on reach-to-grasp function in the rat"
Stackhouse SK, Murray M, Shumsky JS
J. Neurotrauma 25:1039-1047, 2008
"Aspiration of a cervical spinal contusion injury in preparation for delayed peripheral nerve grafting does not impair forelimb behavior or axon regeneration"
Sandrow H, Shumsky JS, Amin A, Houle JD
Exp. Neurol. 210:489-500, 2008. (Epub Dec. 15, 2007)
"Lumbar puncture delivery of bone marrow stromal cells in spinal cord contusion: A novel method for minimally invasive cell transplantation"
Bakshi AA, Barshinger AL, Swanger SA, Madhavani V, Shumsky JS, Neuhuber B, Fischer I
J. Neurotrauma 23:55-65, 2006.
"Role of the 5-HT2C receptor for improving weight supported stepping in adult rats spinalized as neonates"
Kao T, Shumsky JS, Jacob-Vadakot S, Himes BT, Murray M, Moxon KA
Brain Res. 1112:159-168, 2006.
"Partial 5-HT1A receptor agonist activity by the 5-HT2C receptor antagonist SB 206,553 is revealed in rats spinalized as neonates"
Shumsky JS, Kao T, Amato N, Simansky K, Murray M, Moxon KA.
Exp. Neurol. 191:361-365, 2005.
"Combined effects of neurotrophin secreting transplants, exercise and serotonergic drug challenge improve function in spinal rats"
Nothias J-M, Mitsui T, Shumsky JS, Antoncci MD, Murray M
Neurorehab. Neural Repair 19:296-312, 2005.
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