Scott C. Steffensen

Prof. Dr. Scott C. Steffensen

Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

26Years (2001-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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1 March 2008 in Vision Research
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
SSScott C. Steffensen
Scott C. Steffensen
AOAllison J. Ohran
Allison J. Ohran
DSDaniel N. Shipp
Daniel N. Shipp
KHKimberly Hales
Kimberly Hales
SSSarah H. Stobbs
Sarah H. Stobbs
DFDonovan E. Fleming
Donovan E. Fleming

29 December 2012 in BMC Neuroscience
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
QLQiang Liu
Qiang Liu
YHYao Huang
Yao Huang
JSJianxin Shen
Jianxin Shen
SSScott C. Steffensen
Scott C. Steffensen
JWJie Wu
Jie Wu
Background: β-amyloid (Aβ) accumulation is described as a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Aβ perturbs a number of synaptic components including nicotinic acetylcholine receptors containing α7 subunits (α7-nAChRs), which are abundantly expressed in the hippocampus and found on GABAergic interneurons. We have previously demonstrated the existence of a novel, heteromeric α7β2-nAChR in basal forebrain cholinergic neurons that exhibits high sensitivity to acute Aβ exposure. To extend our previous work, we evaluated the expression and pharmacology of α7β2-nAChRs in hippocampal interneurons and their sensitivity to Aβ. Results: GABAergic interneurons in the CA1 subregion of the hippocampus expressed functional α7β2-nAChRs, which were characterized by relatively slow whole-cell current kinetics, pharmacological sensitivity to dihydro-β-erythroidine (DHβE), a nAChR β2* subunit selective blocker, and α7 and β2 subunit interaction using immunoprecipitation assay. In addition, α7β2-nAChRs were sensitive to 1 nM oligomeric Aβ. Similar effects were observed in identified hippocampal interneurons prepared from GFP-GAD mice. Conclusion: These findings suggest that Aβ modulation of cholinergic signaling in hippocampal GABAergic interneurons via α7β2-nAChRs could be an early and critical event in Aβ-induced functional abnormalities of hippocampal function, which may be relevant to learning and memory deficits in AD.

14 July 2016 in Addiction Biology
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Journal Article
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EJEun Young Jang
Eun Young Jang
CYChae Ha Yang
Chae Ha Yang
DHDavid M. Hedges
David M. Hedges
SKSoo Phil Kim
Soo Phil Kim
JLJun Yeon Lee
Jun Yeon Lee
SSScott C. Steffensen
Scott C. Steffensen

26 June 2014 in Addiction Biology
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Journal Article
Closed access
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EJEun Young Jang
Eun Young Jang
YRYeon‐Hee Ryu
Yeon‐Hee Ryu
BLBong Hyo Lee
Bong Hyo Lee
SCSu‐Chan Chang
Su‐Chan Chang
MYMi Jin Yeo
Mi Jin Yeo
Hee Kee KimHee Kee Kim
Hee Kee Kim

1 November 2006 in Experimental Neurology
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
SSScott C. Steffensen
Scott C. Steffensen
SSS Stobbs
S Stobbs
ECE Colago
E Colago
RLR Lee
R Lee
GKG Koob
G Koob
SHS Henriksen
S Henriksen

12 November 2008 in European Journal of Neuroscience
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
PDF file
SSScott C. Steffensen
Scott C. Steffensen
STSeth R. Taylor
Seth R. Taylor
MHMalia L. Horton
Malia L. Horton
EBElise N. Barber
Elise N. Barber
LLLaura T. Lyle
Laura T. Lyle
DADavid W. Allison
David W. Allison