Trophic interactions and factors are necessary for the survival and normal function of both synaptic partners in all systems, whether they are nerve-nerve or nerve-muscle. However, knowledge of the cellular regulation of synthesis of trophic factors is sparse and an understanding of their role in aging or disease is limited. One area of research involves testing the impact of commonly used anticholinergic drugs upon neurotrophin and amyloid-beta metabolism in transgenic and cellular models of Alzheimer disease. A second area of research involves the regulation of the micturition circuits and the role of neurotrophic factors in urological disease. This work is conducted with the Department of Urology and uses whole animal behavior, cell culture and electrophysiological approaches. Funding has been from the National Institutes of Health (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke, National Institute on Aging), private foundations and by cooperative agreements with industry.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":1734387,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"otheraff":[2392],"phd-degree":[],"primary":[2349],"research-discipline":[2504,2500,2502],"research-opportunity":[2555,2551,2553],"training-grant":[],"class_list":["post-1731165","faculty-listing","type-faculty-listing","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","otheraff-cardiovascular-research-center","primary-neuroscience","research-discipline-biotechnology","research-discipline-molecular-pharmacology","research-discipline-neuroscience","research-opportunity-ro-biotechnology","research-opportunity-ro-molecularpharmacology","research-opportunity-ro-neuroscience"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n