Constance L. Smith-Hicks, MD, PhD

Professional Titles

• Research Scientist
• Director of Basic Science Research, Fragile X Syndrome

Primary Academic Title

Associate Professor of Clinical Neurology

Background

Research Interests

Autism Spectrum Disorder, Circuits and Synaptic plasticity in Mental Retardation and Autism, Down Syndrome, Fragile X, Neuro-developmental disorders, Rett Syndrome

Research Summary

Neuro-developmental disorders affecting learning and memory result from defective communication between neurons. Dr. Smith-Hicks is interested in understanding how neurons are selected to integrate into networks. Her laboratory uses molecular, cell imagining, biochemical and electrophysiological techniques, as well as strategies that rely on the cellular reporting of active neurons from awake, behaving animals. She is exploring the effect of imbalance of excitation and inhibition on the ability of neurons to integrate into stable networks, with current projects directed at understanding the mechanisms of Fragile X Syndrome and Down syndrome. Her studies specifically examine the effect of novel and current experimental therapies on network formation and stability in mice.

Google Scholar

http://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&q=smith-hicks&btnG=&as_sdt=1%2C21&as_sdtp=

PubMed

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=smith-hicks

Selected Publications

• Smith-Hicks C, Xiao B, Deng R, Ji Y, Zhao X, Shepherd JD, Posern G, Kuhl D, Huganir RL, Ginty DD, Worley PF, Linden DJ. SRF binding to SRE 6.9 in the Arc promoter is essential for LTD in cultured Purkinje cells. Nature Neuroscience, 2010 Sep;13(9), 1082-1089

• Smith-Hicks, C.: Developmental and Pregnancy-Related Changes in Cerebrospinal Fluid Dynamics And Composition. Cerebrospinal Fluid in Clinical Practice, Editor David Irani. Elsevier/Saunders (2008)

• Smith-Hicks, C.L.; Bridges, D.; Paynter, N; Singer, H.: A Double Blind Randomized Placebo Control Trial of Levetiracetam in Tourettes Syndrome. Movement Disorder, 2007; 15;22 (12):1764-70

• Smith-Hicks, C; Kossoff, E: Neurocysticercosis in Treatment of Pediatric Neurologic Disorders Eds. Singer, Hartman and Crawford. (2005) pg. 303-307

• Smith-Hicks, C; Raymond, G.V.: Developmental Disorders. Cerebrospinal Fluid in Clinical Practice, Editor David Irani. Elsevier/Saunders (2008) 

• Smith-Hicks, CL; Sizer, KC; Powers, JF; Tischler, AS; Costantini, F: C-cell hyperplasia, pheochromocytoma and sympathoadrenal malformation in a mouse model of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B. EMBO 2000; Vol. 19 No. 4 pp.612-622

• Alberi L, Liu S, Wang Y, Badie R, Smith-Hicks C, Wu J, Pierfelice TJ, Abazyan B, Mattson MP, Kuhl D, Pletnikov M, Worley PF, Gaiano N. Activity-induced Notch signaling in neurons requires Arc/Arg3.1 and is essential for synaptic plasticity in hippocampal networks. Neuron, 2011 Feb 10;69(3), 437-444

• Kadam SD, Smith-Hicks CL, Smith DR, Worley PF, Comi AM. Functional integration of new neurons into hippocampal networks and poststroke comorbidities following neonatal stroke in mice. Epilepsy & Behavior, 2010 Aug; 18(4), 344-357

• Lieberman D; Smith-Hicks, C; Singer, H.: Tourette Syndrome In Animal Models of Movement Disorder. Elsevier Inc. (2005) Pg 431-440

• Park, S.; Park, J; Kim, S; Kim, J; Shepherd, J.D; Smith-Hicks, C.L..; Chowdhury, S; Kaufmann, W; Kuhl, D; Ryazanov, A.G.; Huganir, R; Linden, D.J.; Worley, P.F. Eukaryotic Elongation Factor 2 (eEF2) and Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein (FMRP) Control the Dynamic Translation of Arc/Arg3.1 Essential for mGluR-dependent Synaptic Depression. Neuron, 2008

Honors

• Neurological Science Academic Development Award, NIH, 1/1/06
• Resident Research-In-Training Award, Child Neurology Foundation, 1/1/05
• Miriam Berkman Spotnitz Award for Excellence in Original Research, CPMC, 1/1/00
• Alfred Steinier Research Award, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, 1/1/98
• NIGMS-MARC Pre-doctoral Fellowship, 1/1/91
• Medical Scientist Training Program Award, NIH, 1/1/91
• Jonas Salk Honoree, City College of NY, 1/1/91
• Isabella & Jerome Karle Award for Research Excellence, City College of NY, 1/1/91
• Seymour Nuism Research Award, City College of NY, 1/1/91
• Samuel W. Rover & Lewis Rover Award in Biochemistry, City College of NY, 1/1/90

Memberships

• American Academy of Neurology, Member
• Child Neurology Society, Member
• Society for Neuroscience, Member