Stewart A. Anderson, M.D.

Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry
Associate Professor, Department of Neurology and Neuroscience
Weill Cornell Medical College
saa2007@med.cornell.edu

Function of the cerebral cortex depends on the activity of two basic types of neurons, excitatory projection neurons and inhibitory interneurons. The interneurons occur in distinct subtypes that subserve distinct aspects of cortical function and dysfunction. However, little is known about how interneuron subtype fate is determined. The Anderson lab is working to uncover the molecular genetic basis for cortical interneuron diversity. Together with the laboratory of Lorenz Studer (MSKCC), we are applying this knowledge to generate functional interneurons from embryonic stem (ES) cells. Successful generation of stem-cell derived interneurons, from both mouse and human sources, is providing a new system for the study of interneuron fate determination. With the human cells, this progress raises the unprecedented possibility of studying the effects of human gene mutations on the function of isolated human interneurons. In addition, we are exploring the use of stem-cell derived interneuron transplants as a novel cell-based therapy for medication-resistant seizures.

Select Publications

Du T, Xu Q, Ocbina PJ, Anderson SA (2008). Nkx2.1 specifies cortical interneuron fate by direct activation of Lhx6. Development. 135(8), 1559-67.

Wonders CP, Mbata I, Anderson SA (2008). A spatial bias for the origins of interneuron subgroups within the medial ganglionic eminence. Developmental Biology. 314(1):127-36.

Xu Q, Tam M, Anderson SA (2008). Fate-mapping Nkx2.1-lineage cells in the mouse telencephalon. Journal of Comparative Neurology. 506, 16-29.