RESEARCH INTERESTS
Cellular and molecular mechanisms of neurotransmitter release

KEY WORDS:
exocytosis, endocytosis, synaptic transmission, neurotransmitter release

RESEARCH TECHNIQUES
time-resolved detection of neurotransmitter release from single cells: cell membrane capacitance, amperometric voltametry, and voltage clamp of detector cells or sniffer patches; optical monitoring and modulation of intracellular calcium; fluorescent indicator dyes of calcium, and photolabile chelators of calcium; cell culture and brain slice-like preparations.

RESEARCH SUMMARY
My laboratory focuses on pre-synaptic mechanisms of neurotransmitter release. Hearing dictates that the inner hair cell of the cochlea must release transmitter for prolonged periods and with exquisite temporal fidelity. Mechanisms of neurotransmitter release are being studied to understand the cellular and molecular specializations utilized by different parts of the nervous system to meet their unique requirements for neurotransmission.

Primary area of research:
Basic sciences – Neuroscience with a special emphasis on synaptic mechanisms in the auditory system.
Clinical science – Swine health and well-being

Hughes, E.G., Peng, X., Gleichman, A.J., Lai, M., Zhou, L., Tsou, R., Parsons, T.D., Lynch, D.R., Dalmau, J., Balice-Gordon, R.J. Cellular and synaptic mechanisms of anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis J Neurosci 28: 5866-75, 2010.

*Wittig, J.H. Jr., Parsons, T.D. Synaptic ribbon enables temporal precision of hair cell afferent synapse by increasing the number of readily releasable vesicles: A modeling study J Neurophysiol 100: 1724-1739, 2008.

Bell, T.J., Miyashiro, K.Y., Sul, J.Y., Jochems, J., Haydon, P.G., Parsons, T.D., Eberwine, J. Cytoplasmic BKCa channel pre-mRNAs contribute to the excitability of hippocampal neurons Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 12: 1901-6, 2008.

*Avissar, M., Furman, A.C., Saunders, J.C., Parsons, T.D. Adaptation reduces spike count reliability, but not spike timing precision, of auditory nerve responses J Neurosci 13: 6461-72, 2007.

Parsons, T.D. Auditory fidelity. Nature. 444: 1013-1014, 2006.

*Spassova, M., M. Avissar, A.C. Furman, M.A. Crumling, J.C. Saunders & T.D. Parsons. Evidence that rapid replenishment of the synaptic ribbon with vesicles mediates recovery from short-term adaptation at the hair cell afferent synapse. J.Assc.Res.Otolaryn. 5: 376-390, 2004.

Parsons, T.D. and P. Sterling. Synaptic ribbon: a conveyor belt or safety belt? Neuron 37: 379-382, 2003.

*Hassinger, W.J., K.A. Monahan, K.A. T.L. Scanlon, Parsons, T.D. Nutrient management practices among swine operations of various sizes J. Am.Vet. Med. Assc. 217: 1526-1535, 2000.

Gardner, I.A., T.E. Carpenter, L. Leontidis, Parsons, T.D. Financial evaluation of vaccination and testing alternatives for control of parvovirus-induced reproductive failure in swine J. Am. Vet. Med. 208: 863-869, 1996.

Parsons, T.D., J.C. Coorssen, H. Horstmann, and W. Almers. Docked granules, the exocytic burst and the need for ATP hydrolysis in endocrine cells. Neuron. 15: 1085-1096, 1995.

B.A. (Biology & Neuroscience, Magna Cum Laude) Amherst College, 1982

V.M.D. (Veterinary Medicine) University of Pennsylvania, 1986

Ph.D. (Neuroscience) University of Pennsylvania, 1989