Overview
Qualifications
- PhD in medical sciences from the university of Exeter in in 2017
- MRes in biomedical sciences from the University of Glasgow in 2011
- MSc from the university college Dublin in 2010
Publications
Key publications | Publications by category | Publications by year
Publications by category
Journal articles
Robb JL, Morrissey NA, Weightman Potter PG, Smithers HE, Beall C, Ellacott KLJ (2020). Immunometabolic Changes in Glia – a Potential Role in the Pathophysiology of Obesity and Diabetes. Neuroscience, 447, 167-181.
Smithers HE, Terry JR, Brown JT, Randall AD (2019). Sex-associated differences in excitability within the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis are reflective of cell-type.
Neurobiology of Stress,
10Abstract:
Sex-associated differences in excitability within the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis are reflective of cell-type
The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) is a sexually dimorphic brain region which plays a key role in stress, anxiety, and anxiety-related disorders. Human females have an increased susceptibility to anxiety-related disorders, however the physiological basis of this is not fully understood. Here we examined the effect of the oestrous cycle and sex on the electrophysiological properties of Type I and Type II cells in the anterolateral area of the BNST (BNSTALG) in unstressed animals. There was no significant effect of oestrous cycle on any of the parameters examined in either cell type. Compared to males, the female cohort had lower capacitance in Type I cells while having a higher capacitance in Type II cells. Type II cells also displayed decreased excitability in the female cohort. In order to confirm the effect of these populations on stress and anxiety, a correlation with behaviour on the elevated zero maze was carried out. We observed that increased excitability in Type II neurons correlated with a decrease in anxiety-like behaviour. These sex-specific differences in excitability may contribute to altered susceptibility to anxiety-related disorders.
Abstract.
Smithers HE, Terry JR, Brown JT, Randall AD (2017). Aging-Associated Changes to Intrinsic Neuronal Excitability in the Bed Nucleus of the Stria Terminalis is Cell Type-Dependent.
FRONTIERS IN AGING NEUROSCIENCE,
9 Author URL.
Publications by year
2020
Robb JL, Morrissey NA, Weightman Potter PG, Smithers HE, Beall C, Ellacott KLJ (2020). Immunometabolic Changes in Glia – a Potential Role in the Pathophysiology of Obesity and Diabetes. Neuroscience, 447, 167-181.
2019
Smithers HE, Terry JR, Brown JT, Randall AD (2019). Sex-associated differences in excitability within the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis are reflective of cell-type.
Neurobiology of Stress,
10Abstract:
Sex-associated differences in excitability within the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis are reflective of cell-type
The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) is a sexually dimorphic brain region which plays a key role in stress, anxiety, and anxiety-related disorders. Human females have an increased susceptibility to anxiety-related disorders, however the physiological basis of this is not fully understood. Here we examined the effect of the oestrous cycle and sex on the electrophysiological properties of Type I and Type II cells in the anterolateral area of the BNST (BNSTALG) in unstressed animals. There was no significant effect of oestrous cycle on any of the parameters examined in either cell type. Compared to males, the female cohort had lower capacitance in Type I cells while having a higher capacitance in Type II cells. Type II cells also displayed decreased excitability in the female cohort. In order to confirm the effect of these populations on stress and anxiety, a correlation with behaviour on the elevated zero maze was carried out. We observed that increased excitability in Type II neurons correlated with a decrease in anxiety-like behaviour. These sex-specific differences in excitability may contribute to altered susceptibility to anxiety-related disorders.
Abstract.
2017
Smithers HE, Terry JR, Brown JT, Randall AD (2017). Aging-Associated Changes to Intrinsic Neuronal Excitability in the Bed Nucleus of the Stria Terminalis is Cell Type-Dependent.
FRONTIERS IN AGING NEUROSCIENCE,
9 Author URL.
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