Contact Information
407 S. Goodwin Ave
Urbana, IL 61801
Research Interests
Research Topics
Endocrinology, Ion Channels, Neurobiology, Synaptic Transmission
Disease Research Interests
Neurological and Behavioral Disorders, Reproductive Diseases, Infertility, and Menopause
Research Description
Cellular, synaptic, and circuit neurophysiology in neuroendocrinology and epilepsy
My laboratory explores research questions at the intersection of neuroscience, physiology, and endocrinology. We are particularly interested in the neural mechanisms linking epilepsy and comorbid reproductive endocrine disorders. Both women and men with temporal lobe epilepsy, the most common form of epilepsy seen in adults, show higher rates of reproductive endocrine disorders in comparison with the general population. Importantly, reproductive endocrine problems can reciprocally impact the severity of epilepsy seen and influence the choice and efficacy of anti-seizure treatments. We aim to understand how temporal lobe seizures impact the hypothalamic control of reproduction, and how altered hypothalamic function reciprocally affects seizure activity and epilepsy severity.
Another area of research in the lab examines the roles of estrogen synthesized within the brain in seizures and epilepsy. Although estrogens, particularly estradiol, are primarily observed to have effects that promote seizure activity, much of the attention has been paid to estrogens from the ovaries. The brain itself, however, is also a source of estradiol in both males and females, and concentrations of estradiol in certain areas of the brain can exceed those observed in the circulation. Our ongoing research is examining the specific roles for brain-derived estradiol (neuroestradiol) in excitability and seizures in mouse models of epilepsy and Alzheimer disease.
To perform our research, we use several techniques including patch clamp electrophysiology, optogenetics/chemogenetics, stereotactic surgeries, electroencephalography (EEG), viral vectors, neuroanatomy, and behavioral assays.
Education
A.B. 2001 Smith College, Northampton, MA
Ph.D. 2007 University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
Postdoc 2008-2014 Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
Awards and Honors
List of Teachers Ranked as Excellent, 2016, 2021
Center for Advanced Study Fellow, UIUC 2020-2021
Brain Research Foundation Fay/Frank Seed Grant, 2016-2018
Whitehall Foundation Research Grant, 2016-2019
NARSAD Young Investigator Grant, 2016-2018
Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy (CURE) Taking Flight Award, 2014
McCormick Advanced Postdoctoral Fellowship, Stanford School of Medicine, 2012
Epilepsy Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship, 2011
Endocrine Scholars Award, The Endocrine Society, 2008
Peach Outstanding Graduate Student Award, University of Virginia, 2006
NIH National Research Service Award, 2005-2007
Fulbright Fellowship to Italy, 2001
Beckman Foundation Science Scholarship, 2000
Courses Taught
Additional Campus Affiliations
External Links
Highlighted Publications
Representative Publications
Ingram RJ, Leverton LK, Daniels VC, Li J, Christian-Hinman CA (2022) Increased GABA transmission to GnRH neurons after intrahippocampal kainic acid injection in mice is sex-specific and associated with estrous cycle disruption. Neurobiol Dis 172:105822
Li J, Christian-Hinman CA (2022) Epilepsy-associated increase in gonadotropin-releasing hormone neuron firing in diestrous female mice is independent of chronic seizure burden severity. Epilepsy Res 184:106948
Cutia CA, Leverton LK, Ge X, Youssef R, Raetzman LT, Christian-Hinman CA (2022) Phenotypic differences based on lateralization of intrahippocampal kainic acid injection in female mice. Exp Neurol 335:114118
Li J, Leverton LK, Naganatanahalli LM, Christian-Hinman CA (2020) Seizure burden fluctuates with the female reproductive cycle in a mouse model of chronic temporal lobe epilepsy. Exp Neurol 334:113492
Christian CA, Reddy DS, Maguire J, Forcelli PA (2020) Sex differences in the epilepsies and associated comorbidities: Implications for use and development of pharmacotherapies. Pharmacol Rev 72:767-800
Lawande NV, Ujjainwala AL, Christian CA (2020) A single test to study social behavior and repetitive self-grooming in mice. Bio Protoc 10:e3499
Pantier LK, Li J, Christian CA (2019) Estrous cycle monitoring in mice with rapid data visualization and analysis. Bio Protoc 9:e3354
Ujjainwala AL, Courtney CD, Wojnowski NM, Rhodes JS, Christian CA (2019) Differential impacts on multiple forms of spatial and contextual memory in diazepam binding inhibitor knockout mice. J Neurosci Res 97:683-697
Li J, Robare JA, Gao L, Ghane MA, Flaws JA, Nelson ME, Christian CA (2018) Dynamic and sex-specific changes in gonadotropin-releasing hormone neuron activity and excitability in a mouse model of temporal lobe epilepsy. eNeuro 5:e0273-18.2018
Courtney CD, Christian CA (2018) Subregion-specific impacts of genetic loss of diazepam binding inhibitor on synaptic inhibition in the murine hippocampus. Neuroscience 388:128-138
Ujjainwala AL, Courtney CD, Rhoads SG, Rhodes JS, Christian CA (2018) Genetic loss of diazepam binding inhibitor in mice impairs social interest. Genes Brain Behav17:e12442
Li J, Kim JS, Abejuela VA, Lamano JB, Klein NJ, Christian CA (2017) Disrupted female estrous cyclicity in the intrahippocampal kainic acid mouse model of temporal lobe epilepsy. Epilepsia Open 2:39-47
Christian CA (2017) Neurophysiology of gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons. Hormones, Brain and Behavior, 3rd ed. Vol. 3, 379-400
Recent Publications
Cutia, C. A., Leverton, L. K., Ge, X., Youssef, R., Raetzman, L. T., & Christian-Hinman, C. A. (2022). Phenotypic differences based on lateralization of intrahippocampal kainic acid injection in female mice. Experimental Neurology, 355, [114118]. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.expneurol.2022.114118
Ingram, R. J., Leverton, L. K., Daniels, V. C., Li, J., & Christian-Hinman, C. A. (2022). Increased GABA transmission to GnRH neurons after intrahippocampal kainic acid injection in mice is sex-specific and associated with estrous cycle disruption. Neurobiology of Disease, 172, [105822]. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nbd.2022.105822
Li, J., & Christian-Hinman, C. A. (2022). Epilepsy-associated increase in gonadotropin-releasing hormone neuron firing in diestrous female mice is independent of chronic seizure burden severity. Epilepsy Research, 184, [106948]. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2022.106948
Walters, J. M., Kim, E. C., Zhang, J., Jeong, H. G., Bajaj, A., Baculis, B. C., Tracy, G. C., Ibrahim, B., Christian-Hinman, C. A., Llano, D. A., Huesmann, GR., & Chung, H. J. (2022). Pharmacological inhibition of STriatal-Enriched protein tyrosine Phosphatase by TC-2153 reduces hippocampal excitability and seizure propensity. Epilepsia, 63(5), 1211-1224. https://doi.org/10.1111/epi.17192
Alquier, T., Christian-Hinman, C. A., Alfonso, J., & Færgeman, N. J. (2021). From benzodiazepines to fatty acids and beyond: revisiting the role of ACBP/DBI. Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism, 32(11), 890-903. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tem.2021.08.009
