
Overview
Background
Professor Pankaj Sah is Director of the Queensland Brain Institute (QBI) at The University of Queensland (UQ). He is renowned for his work in understanding the neural circuitry of the amygdala, an area of the brain that plays a central role in learning and memory formation. Dysfunction of the amygdala leads to a host of anxiety-related disorders. His laboratory uses a combination of molecular tools, electrophysiology, anatomical reconstruction, calcium imaging and behavioural studies to examine the electrophysiological signatures of different brain regions and their impact on disease. Recently, his laboratory has been working with patients undergoing electrode implantation for deep brain stimulation, which is used to treat a variety of disorders such as Parkinson's disease, Tourette's syndrome and essential tremor. Professor Sah trained in medicine at The University of New South Wales and, after completing his internship, gained a PhD from the Australian National University. Following postdoctoral work at the University of California, San Francisco, and UQ, he established his own laboratory at the University of Newcastle in 1994. He then joined the John Curtin School of Medical Research at the Australian National University as a group leader in 1997. He was recruited to QBI as a founding member in 2003, and has been Director since July 2015. Professor Sah has published over 110 papers in international peer-reviewed journals. He is also the Editor-in-Chief of the Nature Partner Journal npj Science of Learning, the first journal to bring together the findings of neuroscientists, psychologists, and education researchers to understand how the brain learns.
Availability
- Professor Pankaj Sah is:
- Not available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Medicine, University of New South Wales
Research impacts
Prof Sah's major interest has been in understanding the neural circuits that underpin learning and memory formation working on two regions that have well defined roles in learning: the hippocampus and amygdala. He have made major contributions to both these areas and pioneered whole-cell recordings in acute brain slices and provided the first biophysical characterisation of excitatory glutamatergic synapses in the mammalian brain (e.g. Hestrin et. al. 1990, J. Physiol. 422:203; Sah, et al. 1989 Science, 246:815). These synapses are involved in all activity in the central nervous system and our results are cited in major neuroscience textbooks (e.g. Kandel and Schwartz, Principles of Neural Science). Although the hippocampus plays a role in many forms of learning, linking hippocampal activity to specific behaviours has proven difficult. He therefore decided to study the amygdala, a region of the brain well known to play a key role in a very specific form of learning: fear conditioning. His laboratory has been a leader in studying the amygdala and provided the first characterisation of the properties of neurons in this structure (e.g. Faber et al., 2001 J. Neurophysiol. 85:714; Faber & Sah 2002, J. Neurosci. 22:1618). revealing a number of novel and unexpected properties of central synapses and changed thinking about the functional roles of different synapses. For example, it was thought that learning only engaged synaptic plasticity at excitatory synapses on pyramidal neurons. His group showed that in the amygdala a unique form of plasticity also occurs in interneurons (Mahanty & Sah 1998, Nature 394:683) and have recently shown that this plasticity is restricted to a single class of interneuron (Polepalli et al. 2010, J Neurosci. 30:14619). Much of his group's work in this area formed the basis of an influential review (Sah et al. 2003, Physiological Reviews 83: 803). In 2005, my laboratory also discovered that small conductance calcium-activated potassium channels, known to set the discharge properties of central neurons, are also present at excitatory synapses where their modulation plays a key role in setting the strength of synaptic connections and in synaptic plasticity (Faber et al. 2005, Nature Neurosci 8:635). Moreover, these channels are modulated by the hormone noradrenaline, explaining how memory formation may be affected by stressful stimuli (Faber et al. 2008, J Neurosci. 28:10803). Finally, interneurons in the adult brain were though to only be inhibitory. The Sah laboratory demonstrated that a particular type of interneuron in the amygdala is excitatory (Woodruff et al. 2006, J. Neurosci. 26:11881) overturning a long-standing dogma in the field. Interneurons in the amygdala have long been known to play an important role in amygdala-dependent learning. These effects were thought to result from the inhibitory actions of interneurons on the output neurons of the amygdala. His group's results are showing that these cells play a central and unexpected role in information processing and are redefining our understanding of the function that interneurons play in intrinsic circuits in the amygdala.
Works
Search Professor Pankaj Sah’s works on UQ eSpace
2014
Journal Article
Balanced interhemispheric cortical activity is required for correct targeting of the corpus callosum
Suarez, Rodrigo, Fenlon, Laura R., Marek, Roger, Avitan, Lilach A, Sah, Pankaj, Goodhill, Geoffrey J. and Richards, Linda J. (2014). Balanced interhemispheric cortical activity is required for correct targeting of the corpus callosum. Neuron, 82 (6), 1289-1298. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2014.04.040
2014
Journal Article
Emotional regulation of pain: the role of noradrenaline in the amygdala
Strobel, Cornelia, Hunt, Sarah, Sullivan, Robert, Sun, Jian and Sah, Pankaj (2014). Emotional regulation of pain: the role of noradrenaline in the amygdala. Science China Life Sciences, 57 (4), 384-390. doi: 10.1007/s11427-014-4638-x
2014
Journal Article
Rodent scope: A user-configurable digital wireless telemetry system for freely behaving animals
Ball, David, Kliese, Russell, Windels, Francois, Nolan, Christopher, Stratton, Peter, Sah, Panjkaj and Wiles, Janet (2014). Rodent scope: A user-configurable digital wireless telemetry system for freely behaving animals. PLoS One, 9 (2) e89949, e89949.1-e89949.10. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0089949
2014
Journal Article
GABAa receptor α and γ subunits shape synaptic currents via different mechanisms
Dixon, Christine, Sah, Pankaj, Lynch, Joseph W. and Keramidas, Angelo (2014). GABAa receptor α and γ subunits shape synaptic currents via different mechanisms. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 289 (9), 5399-5411. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M113.514695
2014
Journal Article
Mechanisms of heterosynaptic metaplasticity
Hulme, Sarah R., Jones, Owen D., Raymond, Clarke R., Sah, Pankaj and Abraham, Wickliffe C. (2014). Mechanisms of heterosynaptic metaplasticity. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 369 (1633) 20130148, 1633.1-1633.8. doi: 10.1098/rstb.2013.0148
2014
Journal Article
Functional properties and projections of neurons in the medial amygdala
Keshavarzi, Sepideh, Sullivan, Robert K. P., Ianno, Damian J. and Sah, Pankaj (2014). Functional properties and projections of neurons in the medial amygdala. Journal of Neuroscience, 34 (26), 8699-8715. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1176-14.2014
2014
Journal Article
Imagined gait modulates neuronal network dynamics in the human pedunculopontine nucleus
Tattersall, Timothy L., Stratton, Peter G., Coyne, Terry J., Cook, Raymond, Silberstein, Paul, Silburn, Peter A., Windels, Francois and Sah, Pankaj (2014). Imagined gait modulates neuronal network dynamics in the human pedunculopontine nucleus. Nature Neuroscience, 17 (3), 449-454. doi: 10.1038/nn.3642
2014
Conference Publication
Auditory stimulation modulates amygdala network dynamics
Windels, François, Stratton, Peter and Sah, Pankaj (2014). Auditory stimulation modulates amygdala network dynamics. The Twenty Third Annual Computational Neuroscience Meeting: CNS*2014, Québec City, Canada, 26-31 July, 2014. London, United Kingdom: BioMed Central. doi: 10.1186/1471-2202-15-s1-p52
2013
Journal Article
The amygdala and medial prefrontal cortex: partners in the fear circuit
Marek, Roger, Strobel, Cornelia, Bredy, Timothy W. and Sah, Pankaj (2013). The amygdala and medial prefrontal cortex: partners in the fear circuit. Journal of Physiology, 591 (10), 2381-2391. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.2012.248575
2013
Journal Article
Synaptic NMDA receptors in basolateral amygdala principal neurons are triheteromeric proteins: physiological role of GluN2B subunits
Delaney, Andrew J., Sedlak, Petra L., Autuori, Eleonora, Power, John M. and Sah, Pankaj (2013). Synaptic NMDA receptors in basolateral amygdala principal neurons are triheteromeric proteins: physiological role of GluN2B subunits. Journal of Neurophysiology, 109 (5), 1391-1402. doi: 10.1152/jn.00176.2012
2013
Journal Article
Lesions of the basal forebrain cholinergic system in mice disrupt idiothetic navigation
Hamlin, Adam S., Windels, Francois, Boskovic, Zoran, Sah, Pankaj and Coulson, Elizabeth J. (2013). Lesions of the basal forebrain cholinergic system in mice disrupt idiothetic navigation. PLoS ONE, 8 (1) e53472, e53472.1-e53472.9. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0053472
2012
Journal Article
Properties of doublecortin expressing neurons in the adult mouse dentate gyrus
Spampanato, Jay, Sullivan, Robert K., Turpin, Fabrice R., Bartlett, Perry F. and Sah, Pankaj (2012). Properties of doublecortin expressing neurons in the adult mouse dentate gyrus. PLoS One, 7 (9) e41029, e41029-1-e41029-12. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0041029
2012
Journal Article
p300/CBP-associated factor selectively regulates the extinction of conditioned fear
Wei, Wei, Coelho, Carlos M., Li, Xiang, Marek, Roger, Yan, Shanzhi, Anderson, Shawn, Meyers, David, Mukherjee, Chandrani, Sbardella, Gianluca, Castellano, Sabrina, Milite, Ciro, Rotili, Dante, Mai, Antonello, Cole, Philip A., Sah, Pankaj, Kobor, Michael S. and Bredy, Timothy W. (2012). p300/CBP-associated factor selectively regulates the extinction of conditioned fear. Journal of Neuroscience, 32 (35), 11930-11941. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0178-12.2012
2012
Journal Article
Targeted ablation of oligodendrocytes induces axonal pathology independent of overt demyelination
Oluich, Laura-Jane, Stratton, Jo Anne S., Xing, Yao Lulu, Ng, Sze Woei, Cate, Holly S., Sah, Pankaj, Windels, Francois, Kilpatrick, Trevor J. and Merson, Tobias D. (2012). Targeted ablation of oligodendrocytes induces axonal pathology independent of overt demyelination. The Journal of Neuroscience, 32 (24), 8317-8330. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1053-12.2012
2012
Journal Article
Action potential waveform variability limits multi-unit separation in freely behaving rats
Stratton, Peter, Cheung, Allen, Wiles, Janet H., Kiyatkin, E., Sah, Pankaj and Windels, Francois (2012). Action potential waveform variability limits multi-unit separation in freely behaving rats. PLoS One, 7 (6) e38482, e38482.1-e38482.16. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0038482
2012
Journal Article
An introduction to a symposium dedicated to the scientific achievements of Roger Nicoll
Jahr, Craig, Perkel, David and Sah, Pankaj (2012). An introduction to a symposium dedicated to the scientific achievements of Roger Nicoll. Journal of Physiology, 590 (10), 2201-2202. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.2012.230896
2012
Journal Article
Ifenprodil reduces excitatory synaptic transmission by blocking presynaptic P/Q type calcium channels
Delaney, Andrew J., Power, John M. and Sah, Pankaj (2012). Ifenprodil reduces excitatory synaptic transmission by blocking presynaptic P/Q type calcium channels. Journal of Neurophysiology, 107 (6), 1571-1575. doi: 10.1152/jn.01066.2011
2012
Conference Publication
Excitatory and inhibitory circuits in the basolateral amygdala
Sah, Pankaj (2012). Excitatory and inhibitory circuits in the basolateral amygdala. 19th Biennial Meeting of the International Society for Developmental Neuroscience (ISDN), Mumbai India, 11-14 January 2012. Oxford, United Kingdom: Pergamon. doi: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2012.10.085
2012
Journal Article
Small-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels: form and function
Adelman, John P., Maylie, James and Sah, Pankaj (2012). Small-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels: form and function. Annual Review of Physiology, 74, 245-269. doi: 10.1146/annurev-physiol-020911-153336
2011
Journal Article
Paradoxical enhancement of fear extinction memory and synaptic plasticity by inhibition of the histone acetyltransferase p300
Marek, Roger, Coelho, Carlos M., Sullivan, Robert K. P., Baker-Andresen, Danay, Li, Xiang, Ratnu, Vikram, Dudley, Kevin J., Meyers, David, Mukherjee, Chandrani, Cole, Philip A., Sah, Pankaj and Bredy, Timothy W. (2011). Paradoxical enhancement of fear extinction memory and synaptic plasticity by inhibition of the histone acetyltransferase p300. Journal of Neuroscience, 31 (20), 7486-7491. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0133-11.2011
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Pankaj Sah is:
- Not available for supervision
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Neural circuits that drive movement and gait
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Roger Marek, Dr Margreet Ridder
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Doctor Philosophy
Health Benefits and Economic Consequences of Deep Brain Stimulation on Parkinson's Disease Patients
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Brenda Gannon
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Doctor Philosophy
The economic and social impact of Deep Brain Stimulation
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Brenda Gannon
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Doctor Philosophy
Health Benefits and Economic Consequences of Deep Brain Stimulation on Parkinson's Disease Patients
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Brenda Gannon
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Doctor Philosophy
Understanding neural Basis of Resting-State Network Using Simultaneous Calcium Recording and Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Kai-Hsiang Chuang
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Master Philosophy
Predictive Biobehavioural Markers of Deep Brain Stimulation Efficacy
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Susannah Tye
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Master Philosophy
Predictive Biobehavioural Markers of Deep Brain Stimulation Efficacy
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Susannah Tye
Completed supervision
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Predictive Biomarkers of Deep Brain Stimulation Efficacy in Parkinson's Disease
Principal Advisor
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Midbrain neural circuits for motor control
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Margreet Ridder
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Conditioned Stimulus Encoded Information: The switch between freezing and flight
Principal Advisor
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Role of the medial prefrontal cortex and hippocampus in memory and learning
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Roger Marek
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Neurophysiological Insights from Micro-Electrode Recordings in DBS Patients
Principal Advisor
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2018
Doctor Philosophy
NMDA Receptors in the Neural Circuit Underlying Fear Learning
Principal Advisor
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
Organization of a reverberating cell assembly in the Basolateral Amygdala - networks, circuits, and synapses.
Principal Advisor
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2015
Doctor Philosophy
The neural basis of the partial reinforcement extinction effect
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jason Mattingley
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
Neuronal activity in the pedunculopontine nucleus and globus pallidus in patients with movement disorders
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Gerard Byrne
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2013
Doctor Philosophy
Electrophysiological and Synaptic Properties of Neurons in the Medial Amygdala
Principal Advisor
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2013
Doctor Philosophy
Investigation of the Connectivity of the medial PFC and Amygdala linked to Fear Memory
Principal Advisor
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2012
Doctor Philosophy
The intercalated cells of the rodent amygdala
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Luli Faber
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2009
Doctor Philosophy
Diversity and plasticity of interneurons in the basolateral amygdala complex
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Luli Faber
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2006
Doctor Philosophy
DISTRIBUTION AND FUNCTION OF GABAa RECEPTOR SUBUNITS IN AMYGDALA
Principal Advisor
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2006
Doctor Philosophy
GABAERGIC INHIBITION IN THE BASAL AMYGDALA
Principal Advisor
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding neural Basis of Resting-State Network Using Simultaneous Calcium Recording and Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Kai-Hsiang Chuang
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
The role of GABA receptors in synaptic plasticity and disease
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Nela Durisic
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2011
Doctor Philosophy
Identification of Neural Precursor Cells in the Adult Mouse Amygdala
Joint Principal Advisor
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Distinct amygdala to prefrontal connectivity drives fear memory formation
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Roger Marek
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
Physiological properties of glycinergic synapses with defined subunit compositions
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Angelo Keramidas
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
Physiology and Pharmacology of GABA-A receptors containing the gamma-1 subunit
Associate Advisor
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2012
Doctor Philosophy
Characterisation of a novel p75 neurotrophin receptor death signalling pathway
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Elizabeth Coulson
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2012
Doctor Philosophy
Investigating GABA-A and Glycine Receptor Structure and Function
Associate Advisor
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Media
Enquiries
Contact Professor Pankaj Sah directly for media enquiries about:
- Brain and memory
- Brain and processing of emotion
- Brain physiology
- Central nervous system receptors
- Emotion - processing in brain
- Learning and memory formation
- Memory formation and learning
- Nervous system
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