Daniel Spergel, PhD
Associate Research Scientist in NeuroscienceCards
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Associate Research Scientist in Neuroscience
Biography
Daniel Spergel received his A.B. in Biophysics from Columbia University in 1985, where he obtained his introduction to neuroscience research while studying neural development in the lab of Eduardo Macagno. He then studied carotid body oxygen chemoreception (involved in the control of breathing) with Sukhamay Lahiri and earned his Ph.D. in Physiology at the University of Pennsylvania in 1991. He completed his postdoctoral training with Kevin Catt, Stanko Stojilkovic, and Eduardo Rojas at the National Institutes of Health in 1995 and with Peter Seeburg and Rolf Sprengel at the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research in 2003, where he investigated the modulation by the neurotransmitters GABA and glutamate of the electrical activity, intracellular calcium concentration, and GnRH secretion of GnRH neurons controlling reproduction, and where he helped generate the first successful transgenic GFP mouse model for electrophysiological studies of the GnRH neuron (or any CNS neuron for that matter). He then accepted an offer from Sally Radovick to become a faculty member at the University of Chicago, where he investigated calcium signaling in the pubertal activation of the GnRH pulse generator by the neuropeptide kisspeptin, before coming to Yale as a member of the Department of Psychiatry in 2010 to continue with that project. In 2013, he joined the lab of Anthony van den Pol in the Department of Neurosurgery at Yale, where he explored the GABAergic and glutamatergic modulation of the electrical activity and intracellular calcium concentration of MCH neurons involved in energy homeostasis and sleep-wake regulation. Meanwhile, in collaboration with Valery Grinevich at the University of Heidelberg and the Central Institute of Mental Health, he continued to examine the neurotransmitter and neuropeptide modulation of GnRH neuron activity and GnRH secretion. In 2022, he joined the lab of Rui Chang in the Department of Neuroscience at Yale, where he plans to use electrophysiological, calcium imaging, and optogenetic approaches to characterize the electrical activity and determine the functional connectivity and physiological roles of genetically defined subsets of intracardiac neurons in cardiovascular health and disease.
Appointments
Neuroscience
Associate Research ScientistPrimary
Other Departments & Organizations
Education & Training
- Max Planck Society Research Fellow
- Max Planck Institute for Medical Research (2003)
- Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Research Fellow
- University of Heidelberg (1997)
- National Research Council Research Associate
- NICHD/NIH (1995)
- Adjunct Scientist
- NICHD/NIH (1992)
- Postdoctoral Trainee
- University of Pennsylvania (1992)
- PhD
- University of Pennsylvania, Physiology (1991)
- AB
- Columbia University, Biophysics (1985)
Research
Overview
Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
ORCID
0000-0002-5753-4332
Research at a Glance
Publications Timeline
Research Interests
Mice, Transgenic
Hypothalamus
Green Fluorescent Proteins
Electrophysiology
Neuropeptides
Reproduction
Publications
2021
Neuroanatomy of the GnRH/Kisspeptin System
Spergel D. Neuroanatomy of the GnRH/Kisspeptin System. Masterclass In Neuroendocrinology 2021, 12: 197-229. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-86630-3_8.ChaptersConceptsKisspeptin neuronsExtra-hypothalamic areasGonadotropin-releasing hormoneGnRH neuronsGnRH secretionHypothalamic GnRHViral tracingTransgenic miceKisspeptin systemNeuronsGnRHGreen fluorescent proteinAnatomical characterizationNeuroanatomyCurrent bodyDendritic zoneTissue clearingRatsAxonsMiceHormoneSecretionBiomarkers
2019
Modulation of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Neuron Activity and Secretion in Mice by Non-peptide Neurotransmitters, Gasotransmitters, and Gliotransmitters
Spergel DJ. Modulation of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Neuron Activity and Secretion in Mice by Non-peptide Neurotransmitters, Gasotransmitters, and Gliotransmitters. Frontiers In Endocrinology 2019, 10: 329. PMID: 31178828, PMCID: PMC6538683, DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2019.00329.Peer-Reviewed Reviews, Practice Guidelines, Standards, and Consensus StatementsCitationsAltmetricConceptsGnRH neuron activityGnRH secretionNeuron activityNon-peptide neurotransmittersGnRH neuronsGonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Neuron ActivityMouse GnRH neuronsProstaglandin E2Central regulationAdult miceGliotransmittersMouse studiesNitric oxideSecretionNeurotransmittersDirect modulationMiceNeuronsGasotransmitterFurther explorationGonadotropinModulationActivityGABAPostnatalDynamic Network Activation of Hypothalamic MCH Neurons in REM Sleep and Exploratory Behavior
Blanco-Centurion C, Luo S, Spergel DJ, Vidal-Ortiz A, Oprisan S, Van den Pol AN, Liu M, Shiromani PJ. Dynamic Network Activation of Hypothalamic MCH Neurons in REM Sleep and Exploratory Behavior. Journal Of Neuroscience 2019, 39: 4986-4998. PMID: 31036764, PMCID: PMC6670248, DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0305-19.2019.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsMelanin-concentrating hormoneRapid eye movement (REM) sleepMCH neuronsEye movement sleepREM sleepHypothalamic neuronsMovement sleepHypothalamic melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) neuronsMelanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) neuronsNeuropeptide melanin-concentrating hormoneHypothalamic MCH neuronsIndividual hypothalamic neuronsMost brain neuronsFunctional activity mapsExploratory behaviorNon-REM sleepCalcium indicator GCaMP6Single neuron activityHormone neuronsNetwork activationBrain neuronsElectrophysiology studySame neuronsQuiet wakingIndicator GCaMP6s
2018
Deciphering the Contributions of CRH Receptors in the Brain and Pituitary to Stress-Induced Inhibition of the Reproductive Axis
Raftogianni A, Roth LC, García-González D, Bus T, Kühne C, Monyer H, Spergel DJ, Deussing JM, Grinevich V. Deciphering the Contributions of CRH Receptors in the Brain and Pituitary to Stress-Induced Inhibition of the Reproductive Axis. Frontiers In Molecular Neuroscience 2018, 11: 305. PMID: 30214395, PMCID: PMC6125327, DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00305.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricConceptsCRH receptor type 1Corticotropin-releasing hormoneHPG axisCentral neuronsCRH receptorsPharmacological studiesAcute stressGonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neuronsMale HPG axisDecrease of plasmaEarlier pharmacological studiesReceptor type 1Stress induced inhibitionHormone neuronsLH releaseGABAergic neuronsCentral infusionPituitary levelMale miceGonadal axisReproductive axisImmunological stressType 2Pituitary culturesBasal conditionsNeuropeptidergic modulation of GnRH neuronal activity and GnRH secretion controlling reproduction: insights from recent mouse studies
Spergel DJ. Neuropeptidergic modulation of GnRH neuronal activity and GnRH secretion controlling reproduction: insights from recent mouse studies. Cell And Tissue Research 2018, 375: 179-191. PMID: 30078104, DOI: 10.1007/s00441-018-2893-z.Peer-Reviewed Reviews, Practice Guidelines, Standards, and Consensus StatementsCitationsMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsGnRH neuronsGnRH secretionGnRH neuronal activityGnRH neuronal firingRecent mouse studiesHormone secretionNeuronal activityNeuronal firingNeuropeptidergic modulationMouse studiesCognate receptorsNeuropeptidesNeuronsSecretionMammalian reproductionReproduction-related processesGonadotropinModulationMiceReceptors
2012
Effects of Leptin and Melanocortin Signaling Interactions on Pubertal Development and Reproduction
Israel DD, Sheffer-Babila S, de Luca C, Jo YH, Liu SM, Xia Q, Spergel DJ, Dun SL, Dun NJ, Chua SC. Effects of Leptin and Melanocortin Signaling Interactions on Pubertal Development and Reproduction. Endocrinology 2012, 153: 2408-2419. PMID: 22408174, PMCID: PMC3381095, DOI: 10.1210/en.2011-1822.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsGnRH neuron activityNeuron activityGnRH neuronsFemale db/db miceDb/db miceMelanocortin 4 receptor activationNeuropeptides neuropeptide YAgouti-related peptideAction potential firingEffects of leptinC-fos expressionMelanocortin-4 receptorInitiation of pubertyHypothalamic hypogonadismDb miceNeuropeptide YMelanocortin agonistsLeptin receptorReceptor activationPubertal developmentΑ-MSHPubertal onsetMelanocortinLeptinDownstream mediatorKisspeptin Inhibits High-Voltage Activated Ca2+ Channels in GnRH Neurons via Multiple Ca2+ Influx and Release Pathways
Zhang XB, Spergel DJ. Kisspeptin Inhibits High-Voltage Activated Ca2+ Channels in GnRH Neurons via Multiple Ca2+ Influx and Release Pathways. Neuroendocrinology 2012, 96: 68-80. PMID: 22343183, DOI: 10.1159/000335985.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsGnRH neuronsGnRH-green fluorescent protein transgenic miceG protein-coupled receptor 54Phospholipase C inhibitor edelfosineWhole-cell patch-clamp recordingsGonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretionCanonical transient receptor potential (TRPC) channelsTransient receptor potential channelsRyR agonist caffeinePatch-clamp recordingsChelation of intracellularVGCC activityReceptor 54Kisspeptin-10Hormone secretionPeptide 234KP-10Antagonist caffeineBrain slicesSubsequent fertilityTransgenic miceTRPC channelsNeuronsDependent inhibitionCytoplasmic free
2009
Innervation of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Neurons by Peptidergic Neurons Conveying Circadian or Energy Balance Information in the Mouse
Ward DR, Dear FM, Ward IA, Anderson SI, Spergel DJ, Smith PA, Ebling FJ. Innervation of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Neurons by Peptidergic Neurons Conveying Circadian or Energy Balance Information in the Mouse. PLOS ONE 2009, 4: e5322. PMID: 19390688, PMCID: PMC2669176, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0005322.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsGnRH neuronsVasoactive intestinal peptidePeptidergic neuronsGonadotropin-Releasing Hormone NeuronsGnRH secretory systemVIP-IR fibersGonadotropin-releasing hormoneHypothalamic peptide systemsHormone neuronsBasal forebrainIntestinal peptideHypothalamic neuropeptidesPeptidergic fibersReproductive axisTransgenic miceModulatory inputsNeuronsCircadian timing informationPeptidergic signalsMetabolic statusMiceCircadian informationInnervationSignificant proportionPeptide system
2007
Calcium and Small-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels in Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Neurons before, during, and after Puberty
Spergel DJ. Calcium and Small-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels in Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Neurons before, during, and after Puberty. Endocrinology 2007, 148: 2383-2390. PMID: 17289846, PMCID: PMC3315592, DOI: 10.1210/en.2006-1693.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsAdult GnRH neuronsSK channel expressionGnRH neuronsGnRH secretionSK currentPubertal increaseGnRH-green fluorescent protein transgenic miceChannel expressionSmall-conductance calcium-activated potassium channelsGonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neuronsSK channel blocker apaminCalcium-activated potassium channelsCytoplasmic freeChannel blocker apaminExcitatory synaptic inputsWhole-cell techniqueSK channel subtypesHormone neuronsBlocker apaminKisspeptin stimulationChannel blockersSK channelsBrain slicesChannel subtypesSynaptic inputs
2005
Impaired reproductive behavior by lack of GluR-B containing AMPA receptors but not of NMDA receptors in hypothalamic and septal neurons.
Shimshek DR, Bus T, Grinevich V, Single FN, Mack V, Sprengel R, Spergel DJ, Seeburg PH. Impaired reproductive behavior by lack of GluR-B containing AMPA receptors but not of NMDA receptors in hypothalamic and septal neurons. Endocrinology 2005, 20: 219-31. PMID: 16099814, DOI: 10.1210/me.2005-0262.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsAMPA receptorsNMDA receptorsGnRH secretionMale miceN-methyl-D-aspartate receptorsLimbic system neuronsSerum testosterone levelsIsoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptorsIonotropic glutamate receptorsNormal litter sizeMale sexual behaviorGnRH neuronsSeptal neuronsSystem neuronsOvarian morphologyGlutamate receptorsSeptal areaTestosterone levelsControl littermatesMale littermatesPup retrievalMajor subtypesTestis weightMaternal aggressionAcid receptors
Academic Achievements and Community Involvement
honor NRSA Individual Postdoctoral Research Fellowship
National AwardNINDS/NIHDetails10/01/1995United Stateshonor Postdoctoral Research Fellowship
International AwardAlexander von Humboldt FoundationDetails10/01/1995Germanyhonor National Research Council Research Associateship in Neuroscience
National AwardNICHD/NIHDetails10/01/1992United Stateshonor Procter & Gamble Graduate Student Award
Other AwardAmerican Physiological SocietyDetails09/15/1991United States