Exploring Neuropsychiatric Conditions: A Lab Spotlight on Dr. Jordan Logue’s Research at MUSC Using Compresstome Vibratome

Meet the McMahon Research Group

In the bustling corridors of the Medical University of South Carolina’s Basic Science Building resides a dynamic research group led by Vice President of Research Dr. Lori McMahon. Among her dedicated team is postdoctoral researcher Dr. Jordan Logue, whose work delves into the intricate realm of neuropsychiatric conditions, particularly focusing on understanding sex differences and hormonal influences. At Precisionary Instruments, we want to shine a spotlight on the groundbreaking research conducted by Dr. McMahon, Dr. Logue, and their colleagues.

The McMahon lab is a vibrant hub of scientific inquiry, comprising graduate students, technicians, and postdocs under the invaluable leadership of Dr. Lori McMahon. Their research endeavors are supported by state-of-the-art facilities, including dedicated spaces for experiments ranging from immunohistochemistry to advanced electrophysiological recordings. With a primary focus on electrophysiology, the lab boasts an impressive array of equipment, including eight patch clamp rigs, facilitating both in vitro and in vivo investigations.

Research Focus of the McMahon Lab

The cornerstone of Dr. Logue’s research lies in unraveling the complexities of neuropsychiatric conditions through the lens of sex differences and hormonal fluctuations. By meticulously studying the interplay between hormonal variations across the estrus cycle and excitability changes, the lab aims to shed light on conditions such as anxiety, depression, and early-stage Alzheimer’s disease. This unique approach underscores the importance of considering biological sex as a crucial factor in understanding disease pathophysiology.

Compresstome Vibratome Supports McMahon Lab Neuroscience Projects

Central to their research methodology is the innovative use of the Compresstome vibratome, a precision slicing instrument that has revolutionized tissue preparation for electrophysiological recordings. Dr. McMahon, Dr. Logue, and their team have harnessed the Compresstome’s capabilities to obtain high-quality tissue slices, particularly from challenging regions such as the locus coeruleus (LC). The exceptional tissue preservation achieved with the Compresstome has enabled the lab to embark on ambitious projects with unprecedented success.

Through a combination of slice electrophysiology and post-recording immunohistochemistry, Dr. Logue’s lab has produced stunning visualizations of noradrenergic neurons within the LC of adult rat brains. These images (shown below) not only showcase the structural intricacies of neuronal morphology but also provide insights into the physiological activity underlying neuropsychiatric conditions. Specifically, these images are from experiments with slice electrophysiology and post-recording immunohistochemistry to test the physiological activity and morphology of noradrenergic neurons in the locus coeruleus of an adult rat brain. The Compresstome vibratome was used to cut 300 µm thick slices which were kept in oxygenated artificial cerebrospinal fluid (ACSF) for one hour before being used for slice electrophysiology. Pipette solutions contained biocytin, so recorded neurons could later be identified. In the images, blue represents DAPI labeling, green represents Tyroxine Hydroxylase labeling, and red represents biocytin-streptavidin conjugation (images prepared by Dr. Jordan Logue and Nateka Jackson, MUSC). By meticulously integrating electrophysiological recordings with immunohistochemical staining techniques, the lab is paving the way for a deeper understanding of brain circuitry in health and disease.

Future Directions for Neuroscience Research

While their journey is ongoing, Dr. McMahon, Dr. Logue, and their team are driven by a shared vision of advancing our understanding of neuropsychiatric conditions. With ongoing data collection and analysis, fueled by recent grant funding, the lab is poised to make significant contributions to the field. As they continue to unravel the complexities of sex differences and hormonal influences, the promise of groundbreaking discoveries looms on the horizon.

In the realm of neuropsychiatric research, Dr. McMahon’s lab stands as a beacon of innovation and discovery. Through their meticulous approach, leveraging cutting-edge techniques and state-of-the-art equipment, they are unraveling the mysteries of the brain with unwavering dedication. As they continue to illuminate the path toward novel insights and therapeutic interventions, their impact on the field is poised to be nothing short of transformative.