Kimberle M. Jacobs, PH.D.

Associate Professor

Kimberle M. Jacobs, PH.D.

Department: Anatomy and Neurobio

Phone: 804-827-2135

Fax: 804-828-9477

Email: kimberle.jacobs@vcuhealth.org

Associate Professor
Associate Professor 
Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology
1101 E Marshall St
Sanger 11-046
P.O. Box 980709
Richmond, VA 23298
Phone: 804-827-2135
Fax: 804-828-9477
kimberle.jacobs@vcuhealth.org
  

UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION

  • University of Delaware 1986 1986

GRADUATE EDUCATION

  • Brown University, Providence, RI  Neuroscience, PhD 1994 (John P. Donoghue, PhD) 1994

POST GRADUATE EDUCATION

  • Neuroscience, Dept Neurology, Stanford University

FACULTY BIO:

  • Electrophysiologist studying models of developmental epilepsy and mild traumatic brain injury.

RESEARCH EXPERTISE

  • We have two main areas of interest, developmental epilepsy and traumatic brain injury. Epilepsy can be associated with maldevelopment, causing structural and functional alterations. A commonly occurring form in humans is polymicrogyria. The histopathology and epileptiform activity can be readily modeled in rodents, and produces reorganization of specific cortical circuits as well as abnormal synaptic connections. We are currently investigating both potential treatments as well as the ability to prevent the development of epilepsy and altered circuitry that also contributes to cognitive dysfunction. 
    We also study cellular and network abnormalties that occur in neocortex after mild traumatic brain injury. We have shown that after this injury axotomized neurons have abnormal physiology. But in addition, structurally intact neurons are also altered, creating abnormal circuitry and network function. This is a critical new area of interest as clinical study and treatments have focused primarily on the axotomized neurons in the past. Study of the structurally intact but physiologically altered neurons provides new potential avenues for treatment and understanding of the altered network that contributes to chronic cognitive disturbances after even mild forms of head injury. 
    For both of these areas of interest, we use optogenetics, electrophysiology and immunohistochemistry to identify cellular mechanisms and system abnormalities as well as potential treatments.

TEACHING EXPERTISE

  • Neuroscience

KEYWORDS & INTEREST AREAS

  • neurophysiology
  • cortex
  • neocortex
  • malformation
  • development
  • interneuron
  • plasticity
  • epilepsy
  • Systems Neuroscience
  • Somatosensory pathways
  • map plasticity
  • epilepsy
  • thalamus
  • Traumatic Brain Injury
  • GABAergic Neurons
  • Parvalbumin Interneurons
  • Somatostatin Interneurons

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

  • Society for Neuroscience
  • American Epilepsy Society and the International League Against Epilepsy
  • National Neurotrauma Society

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