Contact Information
Research Interests
Epilepsy, Neurobiology, Synaptic Transmission, Ion Channels, Neuroendocrinology, Cellular Excitability
Research Description
My laboratory explores research questions at the intersection of neuroscience, physiology, and endocrinology. We are particularly interested in the neural mechanisms linking epilepsy and comorbid reproductive endocrine disorders. Both women and men with temporal lobe epilepsy, the most common form of epilepsy seen in adults, show higher rates of reproductive endocrine disorders in comparison with the general population. Importantly, reproductive endocrine problems can reciprocally impact the severity of epilepsy seen and influence the choice and efficacy of anti-seizure treatments. We aim to understand how temporal lobe seizures impact the hypothalamic control of reproduction, and how altered hypothalamic function reciprocally affects seizure activity and epilepsy severity.
Another area of research in the lab examines the roles of estrogen synthesized within the brain in seizures and epilepsy. Although estrogens, particularly estradiol, are primarily observed to have effects that promote seizure activity, much of the attention has been paid to estrogens from the ovaries. The brain itself, however, is also a source of estradiol in both males and females, and concentrations of estradiol in certain areas of the brain can exceed those observed in the circulation. Our ongoing research is examining the specific roles for brain-derived estradiol (neuroestradiol) in excitability and seizures in mouse models of epilepsy and Alzheimer disease.
To perform our research, we use several techniques including patch clamp electrophysiology, optogenetics/chemogenetics, stereotactic surgeries, electroencephalography (EEG), viral vectors, neuroanatomy, and behavioral assays.
Education
A.B. - Smith College, Northampton, MA
Ph.D. - University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
Postdoc - Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
Grants
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
National Institute on Aging
Whitehall Foundation
Brain and Behavior Research Foundation
Brain Research Foundation
Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy
American Epilepsy Society/Hope for Hypothalamic Hamartomas
Awards and Honors
University of Virginia School of Medicine Distinguished Achievement Award in Biomedical Sciences, 2023
List of Teachers Ranked as Excellent, UIUC
Center for Advanced Study Fellow, UIUC 2020-2021
Brain Research Foundation Fay/Frank Seed Grant 2016-2018
Whitehall Foundation Research Grant, 2016-2019
NARSAD Young Investigator Grant, 2016-2018
Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy (CURE) Taking Flight Award, 2014
McCormick Advanced Postdoctoral Fellowship, Stanford School of Medicine, 2012
Epilepsy Foundation Fellowship, 2011
Endocrine Scholars Award, 2008
Peach Outstanding Graduate Student Award, University of Virginia, 2006
NIH National Research Service Award, 2005-2007
Fulbright Fellowship to Italy, 2001
Beckman Foundation Science Scholarship, 2000
Courses Taught
MCB 401 - Cellular Physiology
Additional Campus Affiliations
Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology
Affiliate, Beckman Institute for Advanced Science & Technology
External Links
Highlighted Publications
Courtney CD, Sobieski C, Ramakrishnan C, Ingram RJ, Wojnowski NM, DeFazio RA, Deisseroth K, Christian-Hinman CA (2023) Optoalpha1AR activation in astrocytes modulates basal hippocampal synaptic excitation and inhibition in a stimulation-specific manner. Hippocampus in press
Lawande NV, Conklin EA, Christian-Hinman CA (2023) Sex and gonadectomy modify behavioral seizure susceptibility and mortality in a repeated low-dose kainic acid systemic injection paradigm in mice. Epilepsia Open in press
Cutia CA, Christian-Hinman CA (2023) Mechanisms linking neurological disorders with reproductive endocrine dysfunction: Insights from epilepsy research. Front Neuroendocrinol 71:101084
Cutia CA, Leverton LK, Christian-Hinman CA (2023) Sex and estrous cycle stage shape left-right asymmetry in chronic hippocampal seizures in mice. eNeuro 10:ENEURO.0041-23.2023
Cutia CA, Leverton LK, Weis KE, Raetzman LT, Christian-Hinman CA (2023) Female-specific pituitary gonadotrope dysregulation in mice with chronic focal epilepsy. Exp Neurol 364:114389
Ingram RJ, Leverton LK, Daniels VC, Li J, Christian-Hinman CA (2022) Increased GABA transmission to GnRH neurons after intrahippocampal kainic acid injection in mice is sex-specific and associated with estrous cycle disruption. Neurobiol Dis 172:105822
Li J, Christian-Hinman CA (2022) Epilepsy-associated increase in gonadotropin-releasing hormone neuron firing in diestrous female mice is independent of chronic seizure burden severity. Epilepsy Res 184:106948
Cutia CA, Leverton LK, Ge X, Youssef R, Raetzman LT, Christian-Hinman CA (2022) Phenotypic differences based on lateralization of intrahippocampal kainic acid injection in female mice. Exp Neurol 355:114118
Li J, Leverton LK, Naganatanahalli LM, Christian-Hinman CA (2020) Seizure burden fluctuates with the female reproductive cycle in a mouse model of chronic temporal lobe epilepsy. Exp Neurol 334:113492
Christian CA, Reddy DS, Maguire J, Forcelli PA (2020) Sex differences in the epilepsies and associated comorbidities: Implications for use and development of pharmacotherapies. Pharmacol Rev 72:767-800
Lawande NV, Ujjainwala AL, Christian CA (2020) A single test to study social behavior and repetitive self-grooming in mice. Bio Protoc 10:e3499
Pantier LK, Li J, Christian CA (2019) Estrous cycle monitoring in mice with rapid data visualization and analysis. Bio Protoc 9:e3354
Ujjainwala AL, Courtney CD, Wojnowski NM, Rhodes JS, Christian CA (2019) Differential impacts on multiple forms of spatial and contextual memory in diazepam binding inhibitor knockout mice. J Neurosci Res 97:683-697
Li J, Robare JA, Gao L, Ghane MA, Flaws JA, Nelson ME, Christian CA (2018) Dynamic and sex-specific changes in gonadotropin-releasing hormone neuron activity and excitability in a mouse model of temporal lobe epilepsy. eNeuro 5:ENEURO.0273-18.2018
Courtney CD, Christian CA (2018) Subregion-specific impacts of genetic loss of diazepam binding inhibitor on synaptic inhibition in the murine hippocampus. Neuroscience 388:128-138
Ujjainwala AL, Courtney CD, Rhoads SG, Rhodes JS, Christian CA (2018) Genetic loss of diazepam binding inhibitor in mice impairs social interest. Genes Brain Behav 17:e12442
Li J, Kim JS, Abejuela VA, Lamano JB, Klein NJ, Christian CA (2017) Disrupted female estrous cyclicity in the intrahippocampal kainic acid mouse model of temporal lobe epilepsy. Epilepsia Open 2:39-47
Christian CA (2017) Neurophysiology of gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons. Hormones, Brain and Behavior, 3rd ed. Vol. 3, 379-400