Andrew Tan, PhD
Assistant Professor; Deputy Director, Center for Neuroscience and Regeneration Research
Research & Publications
Biography
News
Research Summary
Many people with spinal cord injury (SCI) develop neuropathic pain and spasticity within months after injury. Neuropathic pain and spasticity are medical complications after SCI that can severely affect quality of life, interfere with daily activities, and impose a huge economic burden on individuals and society. Unfortunately, despite aggressive efforts, there is still no cure for these conditions after SCI.
The goal of our research is to identify a treatment strategy for clinically intractable pain and spasticity after spinal cord injury (SCI). An emerging concept in SCI pathology is the involvement of a spinal memory mechanism. In classical learning and memory, dendritic spines—micron-sized synaptic structures—have an adaptive role in cortical function and contribute to experience-dependent enhancement of synaptic efficacy. In pathology, however, dendritic spine plasticity appears maladaptive. Dendritic spine morphology (i.e., shape, number, and location) can determine the quality and magnitude of electrical information as it is relayed through neuronal circuits. In a larger sense, spine architecture can influence how the nervous system functions.
Coauthors
Research Interests
Central Nervous System; Craniocerebral Trauma; Spinal Cord Injuries; Therapeutics; Peripheral Nervous System; Neurodegenerative Diseases
Selected Publications
- Increased astrocytic GLT-1 expression in tripartite synapses is associated with SCI-induced hyperreflexiaBenson C, King J, Kauer S, Waxman S, Tan A. Increased astrocytic GLT-1 expression in tripartite synapses is associated with SCI-induced hyperreflexia. Journal Of Neurophysiology 2023, 130: 1358-1366. PMID: 37877184, PMCID: PMC10972632, DOI: 10.1152/jn.00234.2023.
- Dendritic Spines and Pain Memory.Benson C, King J, Reimer M, Kauer S, Waxman S, Tan A. Dendritic Spines and Pain Memory. The Neuroscientist 2022, 10738584221138251. PMID: 36461773, DOI: 10.1177/10738584221138251.
- Conditional RAC1 knockout in motor neurons restores H-reflex rate-dependent depression after spinal cord injuryBenson CA, Olson KL, Patwa S, Reimer ML, Bangalore L, Hill M, Waxman SG, Tan AM. Conditional RAC1 knockout in motor neurons restores H-reflex rate-dependent depression after spinal cord injury. Scientific Reports 2021, 11: 7838. PMID: 33837249, PMCID: PMC8035187, DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-87476-5.
- Dendritic Spine Dynamics after Peripheral Nerve Injury: An Intravital Structural StudyBenson CA, Fenrich KK, Olson KL, Patwa S, Bangalore L, Waxman SG, Tan AM. Dendritic Spine Dynamics after Peripheral Nerve Injury: An Intravital Structural Study. Journal Of Neuroscience 2020, 40: jn-rm-2858-19. PMID: 32371602, PMCID: PMC7252482, DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2858-19.2020.
- Dendritic spine remodeling following early and late Rac1 inhibition after spinal cord injury: evidence for a pain biomarkerZhao P, Hill M, Liu S, Chen L, Bangalore L, Waxman SG, Tan AM. Dendritic spine remodeling following early and late Rac1 inhibition after spinal cord injury: evidence for a pain biomarker. Journal Of Neurophysiology 2016, 115: 2893-2910. PMID: 26936986, PMCID: PMC4922610, DOI: 10.1152/jn.01057.2015.
- Dendritic spine dysgenesis contributes to hyperreflexia after spinal cord injuryBandaru SP, Liu S, Waxman SG, Tan AM. Dendritic spine dysgenesis contributes to hyperreflexia after spinal cord injury. Journal Of Neurophysiology 2014, 113: 1598-1615. PMID: 25505110, PMCID: PMC4346729, DOI: 10.1152/jn.00566.2014.
- Selective corticospinal tract injury in the rat induces primary afferent fiber sprouting in the spinal cord and hyperreflexia.Tan AM, Chakrabarty S, Kimura H, Martin JH. Selective corticospinal tract injury in the rat induces primary afferent fiber sprouting in the spinal cord and hyperreflexia. The Journal Of Neuroscience : The Official Journal Of The Society For Neuroscience 2012, 32: 12896-908. PMID: 22973013, PMCID: PMC3499628, DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.6451-11.2012.
- Maladaptive Dendritic Spine Remodeling Contributes to Diabetic Neuropathic PainTan AM, Samad OA, Fischer TZ, Zhao P, Persson AK, Waxman SG. Maladaptive Dendritic Spine Remodeling Contributes to Diabetic Neuropathic Pain. Journal Of Neuroscience 2012, 32: 6795-6807. PMID: 22593049, PMCID: PMC6622192, DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1017-12.2012.
- Rac1-regulated dendritic spine remodeling contributes to neuropathic pain after peripheral nerve injuryTan AM, Chang YW, Zhao P, Hains BC, Waxman SG. Rac1-regulated dendritic spine remodeling contributes to neuropathic pain after peripheral nerve injury. Experimental Neurology 2011, 232: 222-233. PMID: 21963650, DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2011.08.028.
- Spinal cord injury, dendritic spine remodeling, and spinal memory mechanismsTan AM, Waxman SG. Spinal cord injury, dendritic spine remodeling, and spinal memory mechanisms. Experimental Neurology 2011, 235: 142-151. PMID: 21925174, DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2011.08.026.
- Unilateral Focal Burn Injury Is Followed by Long-Lasting Bilateral Allodynia and Neuronal Hyperexcitability in Spinal Cord Dorsal HornChang YW, Tan A, Saab C, Waxman S. Unilateral Focal Burn Injury Is Followed by Long-Lasting Bilateral Allodynia and Neuronal Hyperexcitability in Spinal Cord Dorsal Horn. Journal Of Pain 2009, 11: 119-130. PMID: 19744891, DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2009.06.009.
- Dendritic Spine Remodeling After Spinal Cord Injury Alters Neuronal Signal ProcessingTan AM, Choi JS, Waxman SG, Hains BC. Dendritic Spine Remodeling After Spinal Cord Injury Alters Neuronal Signal Processing. Journal Of Neurophysiology 2009, 102: 2396-2409. PMID: 19692517, DOI: 10.1152/jn.00095.2009.
- Neuropathic Pain Memory Is Maintained by Rac1-Regulated Dendritic Spine Remodeling after Spinal Cord InjuryTan AM, Stamboulian S, Chang YW, Zhao P, Hains AB, Waxman SG, Hains BC. Neuropathic Pain Memory Is Maintained by Rac1-Regulated Dendritic Spine Remodeling after Spinal Cord Injury. Journal Of Neuroscience 2008, 28: 13173-13183. PMID: 19052208, PMCID: PMC6671613, DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.3142-08.2008.
- Antibodies against the NG2 proteoglycan promote the regeneration of sensory axons within the dorsal columns of the spinal cord.Tan AM, Colletti M, Rorai AT, Skene JH, Levine JM. Antibodies against the NG2 proteoglycan promote the regeneration of sensory axons within the dorsal columns of the spinal cord. The Journal Of Neuroscience : The Official Journal Of The Society For Neuroscience 2006, 26: 4729-39. PMID: 16672645, DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3900-05.2006.