Virginia Tech® home

Diet, Plasticity, and Memory: the Clock is Ticking

Gamble

 

Dr. Karen Gamble

November 15 at 12:20pm in the Fralin Auditorium, 102 Fralin Hall

Hosted by Dr. S. Clinton

 

Karen L Gamble, PhD is an Associate Professor and holds the Tate Jordan Thomas professorship in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.  She also serves as Director of the Neuroscience theme in the Graduate Biomedical Science PhD program. Dr. Gamble’s research program investigates the environmental modulation of circadian clock function in mammalian systems and the contribution of clock disruption to pathological disease. Her laboratory conducts pre-clinical research in transgenic animal models as well as collaborative translational research in shift work, addiction and attention in humans. Dr. Gamble received her BA degree from King University in Bristol, TN, her PhD from Georgia State University, and completed her postdoctoral training at Vanderbilt University. Dr. Gamble joined UAB in 2009 and has had continuous NIH funding for her research for the past 13 years. She is the former Professional Development Chair of the Society for Research in Biological Rhythms, and she currently serves on the editorial boards of European Journal of Neuroscience and the Journal of Pineal Research.

Obesity increases the risk of numerous additional diseases including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cognitive impairment. The circadian clock is integrally important for regulating metabolism. For example, chronic circadian disruption (e.g., shift work, jet lag) is associated with increased risk for developing obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular dysfunction. Conversely, dysregulated metabolism can impact daily rhythms in the brain and body. In this presentation, we will explore the impact of calorically dense diets on the molecular clock in the hippocampus and hippocampal function such as synaptic plasticity and memory. We will also discuss potential benefits of timed restricted feeding on diet-induced memory impairment.

This seminar has no suggested readings.

Gamble Flyer

This seminar will be livestreamed and recorded on the Fralin Youtube channel.