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e-mail-agholt@med.wayne.edu
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Education/Training:
Baccalaureate. (Biology), 1989, Stillman College, Tuscaloosa, AL
Graduate (M.S). (Neuroscience), 1993, Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Graduate (Ph.D). 1997, Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Postdoctoral Fellow, 1998-1999, West Virginia University, Department of Otolaryngology
Postdoctoral Fellow, 1999-2004, University of Michigan, Department of Otolaryngology
Professional and Faculty Appointments:
2004-2006, Research Investigator, University of Michigan, Department of Otolaryngology, Kresge
Hearing Research Institute
2006-present, Assistant Professor, Wayne State University, School of Medicine
Honors:
1985,1987-1989, Dean’s List, Stillman College
1988-1989, Cordell Wynn Honor Society
1988-1990 Summers, National Institutes of Health- Intramural Research Training Award, (NIDDK)
1993, Shoals Marine Biological Station-Summer Course with fellowship (only 12/year)
1990-1991, Rackham Pre-doctoral Fellowship; University of Michigan Graduate School
1991-1996, Pre-doctoral Fellowship, National Institutes of Health (NIGMS) Avril Genene Holt
1999, Association for Research in Otolaryngology Travel Award
1999-2000, NIH-funded Postdoctoral Traineeship, Kresge Hearing Research Institute, University of Michigan.
2005, Summer Workshop/Course in Aging Research sponsored by the National Institute on
Aging and Geriatrics Center and Nathan Shock Center, University of Michigan
Current Research:
The auditory system presents a unique opportunity to study plasticity because the level of
activity within this sensory system can be easily manipulated. Both excitatory and inhibitory amino
acid neurotransmitters play an important role in normal auditory functioning. In addition, other
transmitters (catecholamines and monamines) can modulate the function of amino acid neurotransmitters
and their receptors. Hearing loss and other auditory disorders can result in changes in auditory
system activity that may be due in part to alteration of neurotransmitter and receptor levels. Changes
in neuronal activity resulting in plasticity can occur following decreased neuronal stimulation (deafness),
overstimulation (noise) or with aging. Plastic changes can include morphological changes, e.g., cell size;
physiological changes, e.g., in synapse efficiency/function, transmitters and receptors, protein production,
as well as functional changes e.g., in receptor binding or transmitter release. Learning how to modulate
neuronal activity in the auditory system may have important implications for the successful re-introduction
of hearing through cochlear prostheses or for the development of cures for auditory disorders such as tinnitus.
Recently, we have focused on changes in the expression of genes related to neurotransmission as well as changes
in the levels of the gene products. We are using several models of plasticity including, deafness and aging
(understimulation) as well as tinnitus (overstimulation).
To accomplish our research goals, we use molecular techniques such as DNA microarrays, real time RT-PCR, and in
situ hybridization as well as electron microscopy and immunocytochemistry (free floating, cryostat, and post-embedding).
Selected Publications:
| 1. | Holt AG, Asako M, Duncan RK, Lomax CA, Juiz J, Altschuler RA. (2006). Deafness-related Changes in Expression of Voltage-gated and Two Pore-domain Potassium Channels in the Rat Cochlear Nucleus. Hearing Research.216-217:146-53. Medline |
| 2. | *Buras ED, *Holt AG, Griffith RD, Asako M, Altschuler RA. (2006). Changes in Glycine Immunoreactivity in the Rat Superior Olivary Complex following Deafness. Journal of Comparative Neurology. 494(1):179-89. (asterisks denote that both authors contributed equally) Medline |
| 3. | Altschuler RA, Holt AG, Asako M, Lomax CA, Lomax M, Juiz JM. (2005). Molecular mechanisms in deafness related auditory brain stem plasticity in “Plasticity and Signal Representation in the Auditory System”, J Syka and M. Merzenich editors pp 416. Medline |
| 4. | Holt AG . (2005). Changes in Neurotransmitter-related Gene Expression following Acoustic Over-Stimulation: A Comparison of Two Tinnitus Models. Tinnitus Today. Medline |
| 5. | Tong L, Altschuler RA, Holt AG. (2005). Tyrosine hydroxylase in rat auditory midbrain: distribution and changes following deafness. Hearing Research. 206 (1) 28-41. Medline |
| 6. | Holt AG, Asako M, Lomax C, MacDonald J, Tong L, Lomax MI, Altschuler RA. (2005). Deafness Dependent Plasticity in the Inferior Colliculus: Gene Expression Profiling following Removal of Peripheral Activity. Journal of Neurochemistry. 93 (5) 1069-1086. Medline |
| 7. | Asako M, Holt AG, Griffith RD, Buras ED, Altschuler RA. (2005). Deafness-Related Decreases in Glycine-Immunoreactive Labeling in the Rat Cochlear Nucleus. Journal of Neuroscience Research. 81 (1) 102-109. Medline |
| 8. | Holt AG. (2004). Gene expression changes in the auditory brainstem at one time point following a central tinnitus producing noise exposure. Tinnitus Today. Medline |
| 9. | Holt AG, Newman SW. (2004). Distribution of Methionine and Leucine Enkephalin Neurons within the Social Behavior Circuitry of the Male Syrian Hamster Brain. Brain Research. 1030 (1) 28-48. Medline |
| 10. | Holt AG. (2003). Gene expression changes in the Auditory Brainstem following a tinnitus producing noise exposure. Tinnitus Today. 28 (1) 20-21. Medline |
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