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In This Section
Dr. Goldberg's research program focuses on investigating cerebral cortical circuit function and dysfunction in neurodevelopmental disorders. Using a variety of research techniques, Dr. Goldberg has a specific research interest in the workings of neuron subtype called GABAergic inhibitory interneuron and the role of interneuron dysfunction in disease.
Bio
Dr. Goldberg's research program delves into the function and dysfunction of the cerebral cortical circuit and the impact on neurodevelopmental disorders. He has a particular interest in a subtype of neuron known as the GABAergic inhibitory interneuron and the role of interneuron dysfunction as a cause of disease.
Among the techniques employed by Dr. Goldberg in his research are mouse and human genetics, electrophysiology, pharmacology, imaging, optogenetics, and behavior. These techniques are used in experimental model systems ranging from heterologous cells in culture, neurons generated from induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells from human patients, and in ex vivo and in vivo in animal models of human disease.
Dr. Goldberg is currently conducting several studies, all with the aim of pinpointing and developing novel treatments and cures for epilepsy syndromes and other neurodevelopmental disorders.
Specifically, Dr. Goldberg and his lab are investigating the mechanisms of seizures and epilepsy in Dravet syndrome, a severe childhood-onset epilepsy due to mutation of the sodium channel gene SCN1A. For this study he is using electrophysiology, pharmacology, optognetics, and two photon calcium imaging in acute brain slices and in awake behaving experimental animals (Scn1a+/- mice).
He is also exploring the use of cell transplantation as a novel treatment for neurodevelopmental disorders, using interneuron progenitors engineered from mouse embryonic stem cells and human iPS cells to treat epilepsy and epilepsy-associated circuit abnormalities in preclinical experimental model systems.
Finally, Dr. Goldberg is working to understand the mechanisms of novel genetic epilepsy syndromes. He and his team recently discovered de novo mutations in the sodium channel gene SCN3A as a cause of severe epilepsy of infancy (epileptic encephalopathy). They are building upon this finding and using advanced neuronal models to understand the mechanisms of SCN3A encephalopathy, all with an eye toward developing novel precision approaches to pediatric epilepsy.
Education and Training
BA, Harvard College (Neurobiology), 1999
PhD, New York University School of Medicine (Physiology and Neuroscience), 2006
MD, New York University School of Medicine, 2008
Titles and Academic Titles
Attending Physician
Assistant Professor of Neurology, Neuroscience, and Pediatrics
Professional Awards
AAN Annual Meeting Resident Research Travel Scholarship, 2011
Samuel Zeritsky Award for Excellence in Research, Department of Neurology, The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 2013
Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy (CURE) Taking Flight Award, 2014
Grass Foundation - AES Young Investigator Travel Award, 2015
Burroughs Wellcome Fund Career Award for Medical Scientists, 2015
American Society for Clinical Investigation Young Physician-Scientist Award, 2017