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Profile

Peter Wenner PhD

  • Department of Cell Biology
    Professor
  • (404) 727-1517
  • pwenner@emory.edu
  • Cell Biology Lab Website
  • Wenner Lab Scholarblogs Site
Head shot of Peter Wenner

Academic Appointment

  • Professor, Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine
  • Associate Professor, Physiology, Emory University School of Medicine

Education

Degrees

  • PhD from University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
  • BS from Cornell University
  • No Degree from State University of New York at Stony Brook

Research

Focus

  • Our research focus is on the mechanisms that underlie the homeostatic maintenance of activity levels as a guiding principal for the maturation of network excitability. This has implications for neonatal seizure activity, developmental disorders like autism, and for neuronal injury.

Publications

  • Impairment in the homeostatic recruitment of layer 5/6 neurons following whisker stimulation in Fmr1 KO mice.
    Neurobiol Dis Volume: 207 Page(s): 106837
    04/01/2025 Authors: Lakhani A; Huang W; Rodgers CC; Wenner P
  • Homeostatic Regulation of Spike Rate within Bursts in Two Distinct Preparations.
    eNeuro Volume: 11
    09/01/2024 Authors: Lakhani A; Gonzalez-Islas C; Sabra Z; Au Yong N; Wenner P
  • GABAergic synaptic scaling is triggered by changes in spiking activity rather than AMPA receptor activation.
    Elife Volume: 12
    06/28/2024 Authors: Gonzalez-Islas C; Sabra Z; Fong M-F; Yilmam P; Au Yong N; Engisch K; Wenner P
  • Plasticity in Preganglionic and Postganglionic Neurons of the Sympathetic Nervous System during Embryonic Development.
    eNeuro Volume: 10
    11/01/2023 Authors: Ratliff A; Pekala D; Wenner P
  • The Uniform and Nonuniform Nature of Slow and Rapid Scaling in Embryonic Motoneurons.
    J Neurosci Volume: 42 Page(s): 1224 - 1234
    02/16/2022 Authors: Pekala D; Wenner P
  • Homeostatic Regulation of Motoneuron Properties in Development.
    Volume: 28 Page(s): 87 - 107
    01/01/2022 Authors: Wenner PA; Pekala D
  • Isolation and Electrophysiology of Murine Sympathetic Postganglionic Neurons in the Thoracic Paravertebral Ganglia.
    Bio Protoc Volume: 11 Page(s): e4189
    10/20/2021 Authors: Halder M; McKinnon ML; Li Y; Wenner P; Hochman S
  • FMRP attenuates activity dependent modifications in the mitochondrial proteome.
    Mol Brain Volume: 14 Page(s): 75
    04/30/2021 Authors: Blow P; Zlatic SA; Wenner PA; Bassell GJ; Faundez V
  • The Type 2 Diabetes Factor Methylglyoxal Mediates Axon Initial Segment Shortening and Alters Neuronal Function at the Cellular and Network Levels.
    eNeuro Volume: 8
    01/01/2021 Authors: Griggs RB; Nguyen DVM; Yermakov LM; Jaber JM; Shelby JN; Steinbrunner JK; Miller JA; Gonzalez-Islas C; Wenner P; Susuki K
  • Mitochondrial Structure and Polarity in Dendrites and the Axon Initial Segment Are Regulated by Homeostatic Plasticity and Dysregulated in Fragile X Syndrome.
    Front Cell Dev Biol Volume: 9 Page(s): 702020
    01/01/2021 Authors: Blow P; Wenner PA; Faundez V; Bassell GJ
  • Divergent Synaptic Scaling of Miniature EPSCs following Activity Blockade in Dissociated Neuronal Cultures.
    J Neurosci Volume: 40 Page(s): 4090 - 4102
    05/20/2020 Authors: Hanes AL; Koesters AG; Fong M-F; Altimimi HF; Stellwagen D; Wenner P; Engisch KL
  • Homeostatic Recovery of Embryonic Spinal Activity Initiated by Compensatory Changes in Resting Membrane Potential.
    eNeuro Volume: 7
    01/01/2020 Authors: Gonzalez-Islas C; Garcia-Bereguiain MA; Wenner P
  • Homeostatic Intrinsic Plasticity Is Functionally Altered in Fmr1 KO Cortical Neurons.
    Cell Rep Volume: 26 Page(s): 1378 - 1388.e3
    02/05/2019 Authors: Blow P; Murphy TJ; Bassell GJ; Wenner P
  • Regulation of synaptic scaling by action potential-independent miniature neurotransmission.
    J Neurosci Res Volume: 96 Page(s): 348 - 353
    03/01/2018 Authors: Gonzalez-Islas C; Blow P; Wenner P
  • Elevated intracellular Na+ concentrations in developing spinal neurons.
    J Neurochem Volume: 140 Page(s): 755 - 765
    03/01/2017 Authors: Lindsly C; Gonzalez-Islas C; Wenner P
  • Spontaneous Release Regulates Synaptic Scaling in the Embryonic Spinal Network In Vivo.
    J Neurosci Volume: 36 Page(s): 7268 - 7282
    07/06/2016 Authors: Garcia-Bereguiain MA; Gonzalez-Islas C; Lindsly C; Wenner P
  • Tonic nicotinic transmission enhances spinal GABAergic presynaptic release and the frequency of spontaneous network activity.
    Dev Neurobiol Volume: 76 Page(s): 298 - 312
    03/01/2016 Authors: Gonzalez-Islas C; Garcia-Bereguiain MA; O'Flaherty B; Wenner P
  • Upward synaptic scaling is dependent on neurotransmission rather than spiking.
    Nat Commun Volume: 6 Page(s): 6339
    03/09/2015 Authors: Fong M-F; Newman JP; Potter SM; Wenner P
  • Homeostatic synaptic plasticity in developing spinal networks driven by excitatory GABAergic currents.
    Neuropharmacology Volume: 78 Page(s): 55 - 62
    03/01/2014 Authors: Wenner P
  • Activity blockade and GABAA receptor blockade produce synaptic scaling through chloride accumulation in embryonic spinal motoneurons and interneurons.
    PLoS One Volume: 9 Page(s): e94559
    01/01/2014 Authors: Lindsly C; Gonzalez-Islas C; Wenner P
  • In vivo synaptic scaling is mediated by GluA2-lacking AMPA receptors in the embryonic spinal cord.
    J Neurosci Volume: 33 Page(s): 6791 - 6799
    04/17/2013 Authors: Garcia-Bereguiain MA; Gonzalez-Islas C; Lindsly C; Butler E; Hill AW; Wenner P
  • The effects of endocannabinoid signaling on network activity in developing and motor circuits.
    Ann N Y Acad Sci Volume: 1279 Page(s): 135 - 142
    03/01/2013 Authors: Wenner P
  • Tonic and transient endocannabinoid regulation of AMPAergic miniature postsynaptic currents and homeostatic plasticity in embryonic motor networks.
    J Neurosci Volume: 32 Page(s): 13597 - 13607
    09/26/2012 Authors: Gonzalez-Islas C; Garcia-Bereguiain MA; Wenner P
  • Motor development: activity matters after all.
    Curr Biol Volume: 22 Page(s): R47 - R48
    01/24/2012 Authors: Wenner P
  • Refuting the challenges of the developmental shift of polarity of GABA actions: GABA more exciting than ever!
    Front Cell Neurosci Volume: 6 Page(s): 35
    01/01/2012 Authors: Ben-Ari Y; Woodin MA; Sernagor E; Cancedda L; Vinay L; Rivera C; Legendre P; Luhmann HJ; Bordey A; Wenner P
  • Mechanisms of GABAergic homeostatic plasticity.
    Neural Plast Volume: 2011 Page(s): 489470
    01/01/2011 Authors: Wenner P
  • GABAergic synaptic scaling in embryonic motoneurons is mediated by a shift in the chloride reversal potential.
    J Neurosci Volume: 30 Page(s): 13016 - 13020
    09/29/2010 Authors: Gonzalez-Islas C; Chub N; Garcia-Bereguiain MA; Wenner P
  • Compensatory changes in cellular excitability, not synaptic scaling, contribute to homeostatic recovery of embryonic network activity.
    Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Volume: 106 Page(s): 6760 - 6765
    04/21/2009 Authors: Wilhelm JC; Rich MM; Wenner P
  • NKCC1 and AE3 appear to accumulate chloride in embryonic motoneurons.
    J Neurophysiol Volume: 101 Page(s): 507 - 518
    02/01/2009 Authors: Gonzalez-Islas C; Chub N; Wenner P
  • GABAA transmission is a critical step in the process of triggering homeostatic increases in quantal amplitude.
    Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Volume: 105 Page(s): 11412 - 11417
    08/12/2008 Authors: Wilhelm JC; Wenner P
  • Imaging the spatiotemporal organization of neural activity in the developing spinal cord.
    Dev Neurobiol Volume: 68 Page(s): 788 - 803
    05/01/2008 Authors: O'Donovan MJ; Bonnot A; Mentis GZ; Arai Y; Chub N; Shneider NA; Wenner P
  • Developmental reorganization of the output of a GABAergic interneuronal circuit.
    J Neurophysiol Volume: 97 Page(s): 2769 - 2779
    04/01/2007 Authors: Xu H; Clement A; Wright TM; Wenner P
  • Sensing and expressing homeostatic synaptic plasticity.
    Trends Neurosci Volume: 30 Page(s): 119 - 125
    03/01/2007 Authors: Rich MM; Wenner P
  • Developmental plasticity of inhibitory circuitry.
    J Neurosci Volume: 26 Page(s): 10358 - 10361
    10/11/2006 Authors: Pallas SL; Wenner P; Gonzalez-Islas C; Fagiolini M; Razak KA; Kim G; Sanes D; Roerig B
  • Spontaneous network activity in the embryonic spinal cord regulates AMPAergic and GABAergic synaptic strength.
    Neuron Volume: 49 Page(s): 563 - 575
    02/16/2006 Authors: Gonzalez-Islas C; Wenner P
  • Development of an inhibitory interneuronal circuit in the embryonic spinal cord.
    J Neurophysiol Volume: 93 Page(s): 2922 - 2933
    05/01/2005 Authors: Xu H; Whelan PJ; Wenner P
  • Calcium imaging of network function in the developing spinal cord.
    Cell Calcium Volume: 37 Page(s): 443 - 450
    05/01/2005 Authors: O'Donovan MJ; Bonnot A; Wenner P; Mentis GZ
  • Mechanisms that initiate spontaneous network activity in the developing chick spinal cord.
    J Neurophysiol Volume: 86 Page(s): 1481 - 1498
    09/01/2001 Authors: Wenner P; O'Donovan MJ
  • Topographical and physiological characterization of interneurons that express engrailed-1 in the embryonic chick spinal cord.
    J Neurophysiol Volume: 84 Page(s): 2651 - 2657
    11/01/2000 Authors: Wenner P; O'Donovan MJ; Matise MP
  • The genesis of spontaneous activity in the developing spinal cord of the chick embryo
    JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON Volume: 525 Page(s): 2S - 2S
    06/01/2000 Authors: O'Donovan MJ; Wenner P; Chub N; Tabak J; Whelan PJ; Rinzel J
  • Identification of an interneuronal population that mediates recurrent inhibition of motoneurons in the developing chick spinal cord.
    J Neurosci Volume: 19 Page(s): 7557 - 7567
    09/01/1999 Authors: Wenner P; O'Donovan MJ
  • Activity patterns and synaptic organization of ventrally located interneurons in the embryonic chick spinal cord.
    J Neurosci Volume: 19 Page(s): 3457 - 3471
    05/01/1999 Authors: Ritter A; Wenner P; Ho S; Whelan PJ; O'Donovan MJ
  • Spontaneous network activity transiently depresses synaptic transmission in the embryonic chick spinal cord.
    J Neurosci Volume: 19 Page(s): 2102 - 2112
    03/15/1999 Authors: Fedirchuk B; Wenner P; Whelan PJ; Ho S; Tabak J; O'Donovan MJ
  • Physiological and molecular characterization of interneurons in the developing spinal cord.
    Ann N Y Acad Sci Volume: 860 Page(s): 425 - 427
    11/16/1998 Authors: Wenner P; Matise MP; Joyner A; O'Donovan MJ
  • Mechanisms of spontaneous activity in the developing spinal cord and their relevance to locomotion.
    Ann N Y Acad Sci Volume: 860 Page(s): 130 - 141
    11/16/1998 Authors: O'Donovan MJ; Wenner P; Chub N; Tabak J; Rinzel J
  • Mechanisms of spontaneous activity in developing spinal networks.
    J Neurobiol Volume: 37 Page(s): 131 - 145
    10/01/1998 Authors: O'Donovan MJ; Chub N; Wenner P
  • Calcitonin gene-related peptide: distribution and effects on spontaneous rhythmic activity in embryonic chick spinal cord.
    Brain Res Dev Brain Res Volume: 106 Page(s): 47 - 55
    03/12/1998 Authors: Carr PA; Wenner P
  • Neuromuscular development in the avian paralytic mutant crooked neck dwarf (cn/cn): further evidence for the role of neuromuscular activity in motoneuron survival.
    J Comp Neurol Volume: 381 Page(s): 353 - 372
    05/12/1997 Authors: Oppenheim RW; Prevette D; Houenou LJ; Pincon-Raymond M; Dimitriadou V; Donevan A; O'Donovan M; Wenner P; Mckemy DD; Allen PD
  • Dye screening and signal-to-noise ratio for retrogradely transported voltage-sensitive dyes.
    J Neurosci Methods Volume: 70 Page(s): 121 - 129
    12/28/1996 Authors: Tsau Y; Wenner P; O'Donovan MJ; Cohen LB; Loew LM; Wuskell JP
  • Voltage-sensitive dye recording using retrogradely transported dye in the chicken spinal cord: staining and signal characteristics.
    J Neurosci Methods Volume: 70 Page(s): 111 - 120
    12/28/1996 Authors: Wenner P; Tsau Y; Cohen LB; O'Donovan MJ; Dan Y
  • Peripheral target specification of synaptic connectivity of muscle spindle sensory neurons with spinal motoneurons.
    J Neurosci Volume: 15 Page(s): 8191 - 8198
    12/01/1995 Authors: Wenner P; Frank E
  • Environmental specification of neuronal connectivity.
    Neuron Volume: 10 Page(s): 779 - 785
    05/01/1993 Authors: Frank E; Wenner P
  • Epidermal growth factor and tumor promoters prevent DNA fragmentation by different mechanisms.
    Biochem Biophys Res Commun Volume: 118 Page(s): 392 - 399
    01/30/1984 Authors: Kanter P; Leister KJ; Tomei LD; Wenner PA; Wenner CE
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