Currently, studies and interests in my research laboratory include the following:

(1) Learning and Memory, Memory and Menopause.
We are assessing in mice, lithium as a potential neuroprotective therapeutic agent for spatial memory diseases, and assessing a role for lithium as a learning and memory enhancer (i.e. looking at relationships that exist with beta amyloid peptide, glycogen synthase kinase-3ß, estrogen, cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) & lithium). For example, one of our studies uses a post menopausal mouse model. This study is to determine if Li can work synergistically with estrogens (specifically E2) to enhance learning and memory. The study includes examining the impact this relationship has in the hippocampus, as well as examining the extent of CREB phosphorylation. We hypothesize a synergistic relationship between Li and E2 and predict learning and memory enhancement (e.g. in object recognition tasks). We are using bilaterally ovariectomized and aging C57BL/6J mice to test our hypotheses. In the mid 90’s, lithium was identified as a direct and selective inhibitor of an enzyme (GSK-3b) that is involved in many intracellular signaling systems. Some of these systems regulate critical brain functions (e.g. cell survival, neuronal plasticity and learning).

(2) Chemokine Receptors & the Central Nervous System(CNS)
We have an interest in neural-immune interactions (identifying astroglial chemokine receptors in cultured rat brain cells), and we have done some preliminary studies to this effect. We have used immunocytochemical techniques in primary cell cultures to identify the distribution of four chemokine receptors (CKR) in rodent types 1 & 2 astroglia from spatially distinct CNS regions. Chemokine receptors and CD4 receptors are important co-receptors for HIV-1 fusion and subsequent entry into target cells. Although most brain cells lack CD4 receptors, HIV-1 may still gain entry with the assistance of chemokine receptors present on these cells.

(3) Neuromuscular re-innervation/regeneration.
We have an interest in using rats to study the role of thyroid hormone (TH) and thyroid hormone receptors in the regenerating sciatic nerve, and we have done some preliminary studies in adult male and female rats. We have used radioimmunoassay to measure circulating TH [triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxin (T4)] concentrations, as well as sciatic functional indices (SFI) to determine functional recovery during stages of sciatic nerve regeneration, after induced nerve crush. The importance of thyroid hormones and thyroid hormone receptors in the development of the CNS is well documented. However, a role for thyroid hormones in the peripheral nervous system has not been well addressed.

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

Huang, Ming-Bo, Ophelia Weeks, Ling, Jun-Zhao, Mary Saltarelli and Vincent Bond (2000) Effects of extracellular human immunodeficiency virus type 1 vpr protein in primary rat cortical cell cultures. J NeuroVirol 6:202-220.

Enrione, E.B., O.I. Weeks and S. Kranz, J. Shen (1999) A Vitamin E deficient diet affects nerve regeneration in rats. Nutrition 15:140-144.

Gordon, K.R., C. Levy, M. Perl and O. Weeks (1994) Experimental perturbation of the development of sexual size dimorphism in the mouse skeleton. Growth, Dev and Aging 58:95-104.

Gordon, Kenneth R., Cesar Levy, Mordechai Perl and Ophelia I. Weeks (1993) Adaptive modeling in a mammalian skeletal model system. Growth Dev and Aging 57:101-110.

Weeks, O. I. (1989) Vertebrate skeletal muscle: power source for locomotion. Bioscience 39:791-799.

Weeks, O. I. and A. W. English (1989) Electromyographic cross-talk within a compartmentalized muscle of the cat. J Physiology 416:327-336.