Dr Phil Heyward is interested in the sense of smell and neurological disorders. Our ability to sense airborne chemicals is based on patterns of neuronal activity in the brain. His lab uses electrophysiological recording from brain slices maintained in vitro to study how these patterns of activity are processed by individual neurons and circuits in the brain. Bipolar disorder, depression and epilepsy seem like very different problems, but they each result from abnormal levels of brain neuron activity. To understand these diseases better and improve treatments, we need to know more about how the current treatments actually work. We therefore focus our studies on how current treatments act on neurons to control their activity as individual cells, and as members of brain circuits.
Crellin, S., Sheard, P., Heyward, P. M., De Ridder, D., & Glue, P. (2023). Modulation of axonal action potential conduction with bipolar disorder therapeutics. In K.-L. Horne (Ed.), Proceedings of the 39th International Australasian Winter Conference on Brain Research (AWCBR). (pp. 48). Retrieved from https://www.awcbr.org
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Pretz, D., Heyward, P. M., Krebs, J., Gruchot, J., Barter, C., Silcock, P., Downes, N., Rizwan, M. Z., Boucsein, A., Bender, J., Burgess, E. J., Boer, G. A., Keerthisinghe, P., Perry, N. B., & Tups, A. (2023). A dahlia flower extract has anti-diabetic properties by improving insulin function in the brain. Life Metabolism, 2(4), load026. doi: 10.1093/lifemeta/load026
Journal - Research Article
Williams, M. R., Hall, M. J., & Heyward, P. M. (2019). Levels of activity-dependent effects on Li+ on mitral cell activity. In K. Hillman (Ed.), Proceedings of the 37th International Australasian Winter Conference on Brain Research (AWCBR). (pp. 57). Retrieved from http://www.otago.ac.nz/awcbr
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Benzler, M., Benzler, J., Stoehr, S., Hempp, C., Rizwan, M. Z., Heyward, P., & Tups, A. (2019). "Insulin-like" effects of palmitate compromise insulin signalling in hypothalamic neurons. Journal of Comparative Physiology B, 189(3-4), 413-424. doi: 10.1007/s00360-019-01220-0
Journal - Research Article
Heyward, P. M., Williams, M. R., & Hall, M. J. (2018). Activity-dependent actions of Li+ in brain network connectivity. In K. Hillman (Ed.), Proceedings of the 36th International Australasian Winter Conference on Brain Research. (pp. 69). AWCBR. Retrieved from https://www.otago.ac.nz/awcbr
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Kanthakumar, P., Hyland, B. I., & Heyward, P. (2017). Lithium may block the delay current (ID) in olfactory projection neurons. Proceedings of the Society for Neuroscience 47th Annual Meeting. 375.02/D41. SfN. Retrieved from https://www.sfn.org/
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Hall, M. J., Williams, M. R., & Heyward, P. M. (2017). Lithim promotes stereotyped responses to synaptic input: An in vitro olfactory bulb study. In B. Leitch (Ed.), Proceedings of the 35th International Australasian Winter Conference on Brain Research. (pp. 68). AWCBR. Retrieved from http://www.otago.ac.nz/awcbr/index.html
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Deeney, E. A., Power, E. M., Heyward, P. M., & Empson, R. M. (2017). Does voluntary exercise improve motor performance and/or cerebellar architecture in SCA1 moderately ataxic mice. In B. Leitch (Ed.), Proceedings of the 35th International Australasian Winter Conference on Brain Research. (pp. 50). AWCBR. Retrieved from http://www.otago.ac.nz/awcbr/index.html
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Kanthakumar, P., Hyland, B., & Heyward, P. (2017). Lithium may block the delay current (ID) in olfactory projection neurons. In B. Leitch (Ed.), Proceedings of the 35th International Australasian Winter Conference on Brain Research. (pp. 38). AWCBR. Retrieved from http://www.otago.ac.nz/awcbr/index.html
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Heyward, P. M., Williams, M. R., Hall, M. J., & Kanthakumar, P. (2017). Lithium may enhance brain network coherence by acting on K+ channels. In B. Leitch (Ed.), Proceedings of the 35th International Australasian Winter Conference on Brain Research.35, (pp. 28). AWCBR. Retrieved from http://www.otago.ac.nz/awcbr/index.html
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Farley, L. T. A., & Heyward, P. M. (2014). Nitric oxide regulates spontaneous, electrically stimulated, and seizure-like activities in the mouse olfactory bulb in vitro. In B. Leitch & J. Shemmell (Eds.), Proceedings of the 32nd International Australasian Winter Conference on Brain Research.32, (pp. 65). AWCBR. Retrieved from https://web.psy.otago.ac.nz/awcbr/proceedings.html
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Farley, L. T. A., & Heyward, P. M. (2012). Nitric oxide in the olfactory bulb in vitro. In B. Leitch & J. Shemmell (Eds.), Proceedings of the 30th International Australasian Winter Conference on Brain Research.30, (pp. 47). AWCBR. Retrieved from http://psy.otago.ac.nz/awcbr/Abstracts/Abstracts2012.html
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Igelström, K. M., & Heyward, P. M. (2012). Inhibition of hippocampal excitability by citalopram. Epilepsia, 53(11), 2034-2042. doi: 10.1111/j.1528-1167.2012.03660.x
Journal - Research Article
Igelström, K. M., & Heyward, P. M. (2012). The antidepressant drug fluoxetine inhibits persistent sodium currents and seizure-like events. Epilepsy Research, 101(1-2), 174-181. doi: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2012.03.019
Journal - Research Article
Igelstrom, K. M., & Heyward, P. M. (2011). Anticonvulsant effects and sodium channel inhibition by selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. In B. Leitch (Ed.), Proceedings of the 29th International Australasian Winter Conference on Brain Research.29, 8.3. AWCBR. Retrieved from http://psy.otago.ac.nz/awcbr/abstracts/abstracts2011.html
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Igelström, K. M., Shirley, C. H., & Heyward, P. M. (2011). Low-magnesium medium induces epileptiform activity in mouse olfactory bulb slices. Journal of Neurophysiology, 106(5), 2593-2605. doi: 10.1152/jn.00601.2011
Journal - Research Article
Heyward, P. M. (2010). A brain slice bath for physiology and compound microscopy, with dual-sided perifusion. Journal of Microscopy, 240(3), 207-215. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2818.2010.03382.x
Journal - Research Article
Igelstrom, K., & Heyward, P. (2010, September). Epileptiform activity in an olfactory brain circuit. Poster session presented at the Fourth Annual Division of Health Sciences Research Forum, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)
Butler-Munro, C., Coddington, E. J., Shirley, C. H., & Heyward, P. M. (2010). Lithium modulates cortical excitability in vitro. Brain Research, 1352, 50-60. doi: 10.1016/j.brainres.2010.07.021
Journal - Research Article
Shirley, C. H., Coddington, E. J., & Heyward, P. M. (2010). All-or-none population bursts temporally constrain surround inhibition between mouse olfactory glomeruli. Brain Research Bulletin, 81(4-5), 406-415. doi: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2009.10.022
Journal - Research Article
Heyward, P. (2009). Olfactory bulb output neuron activity in brain slices: Physiology or pathophysiology? Proceedings of the ComBio2009 Conference. [CD-ROM] [Abstract]
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Butler-Munro, C., Heyward, P. M., Shirley, C. H., & Coddington, E. (2009). Lithium blocks a transient outward current in output neurons of the olfactory bulb of the brain. Proceedings of the Society for Neuroscience 39th Annual Meeting. SfN. Retrieved from http://www.abstractsonline.com/plan/AdvancedSearch.aspx
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Coddington, E. J., Shirley, C., Butler-Munro, C., & Heyward, P. M. (2009). Persistent sodium current (INaP) regulates excitability and synaptic integration in mitral cells. Proceedings of the Society for Neuroscience 39th Annual Meeting. SfN. Retrieved from http://www.abstractsonline.com/plan/AdvancedSearch.aspx
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Heinbockel, T., & Heyward, P. M. (2008). Glutamate synapses in olfactory neural circuits. In B. F. Paley & T. E. Warfield (Eds.), Amino acid receptor research. (pp. 391-425). New York: Nova Science.
Chapter in Book - Research
Tantirigama, M., & Heyward, P. (2008). Excitation by GABA in the mouse olfactory bulb is not mediated by a bicarbonate efflux. New Zealand Medical Journal, 121(1274). Retrieved from http://journal.nzma.org.nz/journal/121-1274/3078/content.pdf
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Igelstrom, K., & Heyward, P. (2008). Inhibitory action of taurine at GABAA and glycine receptors in the main olfactory bulb of the brain. New Zealand Medical Journal, 121(1274). Retrieved from http://journal.nzma.org.nz/journal/121-1274/3078/content.pdf
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Shirley, C. H., & Heyward, P. M. (2008). Centre-surround processing in the olfactory bulb is temporal, and intrinsic to the level of sensory input. Proceedings of the Society for Neuroscience 38th Annual Meeting. SfN. Retrieved from http://www.abstractsonline.com/plan/AdvancedSearch.aspx
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Butler-Munro, C., & Heyward, P. (2008). Lithium treatment in vitro has direct and adaptive effects on neuronal excitability. In J. G. Anson (Ed.), Proceedings of the 26th International Australasian Winter Conference on Brain Research.26, (pp. 33). AWCBR. Retrieved from http://psy.otago.ac.nz/awcbr/Abstracts/2008Abstracts.pdf
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Coddington, E., & Heyward, P. (2008). Synaptic integration in mitral cells is regulated by a persistent sodium current (INAP-INaP). In J. G. Anson (Ed.), Proceedings of the 26th International Australasian Winter Conference on Brain Research.26, (pp. 31). AWCBR. Retrieved from http://psy.otago.ac.nz/awcbr/Abstracts/2008Abstracts.pdf
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Shirley, C. H., & Heyward, P. M. (2007, November). Centre-surround processing in olfactory bulb is temporal, and intrinsic to the level of sensory input. Verbal presentation at the Medical Sciences Congress, Queenstown, New Zealand.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Butler-Munro, C., & Heyward, P. (2006, November-December). The electrophysiological effects of lithium on central neurons in vitro. Verbal presentation at the Medical Sciences Congress, Rotorua, New Zealand.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Shirley, C. H., & Heyward, P. M. (2005, December). Olfactory bulb circuitry in odour coding. Poster session presented at the Medical Sciences Congress, Queenstown, New Zealand.
Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)
Wachowiak, M., McGann, J. P., Heyward, P. M., Shao, Z., Puche, A. C., & Shipley, M. T. (2005). Inhibition of olfactory receptor neuron input to olfactory bulb glomeruli mediated by suppression of presynaptic calcium influx. Journal of Neurophysiology, 94, 2700-2712.
Journal - Research Article
Heyward, P. M., Puche, A. C., Aungst, J. L., & Shipley, M. T. (2004, December). Centre-surround inhibition at the first stage of olfactory processing. Poster session presented at the Medical Sciences Congress, Queenstown, New Zealand.
Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)
Heinbockel, T., Heyward, P., Conquet, F., & Ennis, M. (2004). Regulation of main olfactory bulb mitral cell excitability by metabotropic glutamate receptor mGluR1. Journal of Neurophysiology, 92, 3085-3096.
Journal - Research Article
Puche, A. C., Heyward, P., & Shipley, M. T. (2004). Transmembrane dye labeling and immunohistochemical staining of electrophysiologically characterized single neurons. Journal of Neuroscience Methods, 137(2), 235-240.
Journal - Research Article
Puche, A. C., Aungst, J. L., Heyward, P. M., Erdelyi, F., Szabo, G., Karnup, S. V., & Shipley, M. T. (2003). Neural basis for interglomerular circuits in the main olfactory bulb. Proceedings of the 25th Annual Meeting of the Association for Chemoreception Sciences. [Abstract]
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Aungst, J. L., Heyward, P. M., & Shipley, M. T. (2003). Evidence for dendritic localization of IH in granule cells of mouse main olfactory bulb. Proceedings of the 33rd Annual Meeting of Society for Neuroscience. [Abstract]
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Aungst, J. L., Heyward, P. M., Hayar, A. M., & Shipley, M. T. (2003). IH modulation of granule cell function in the mouse main olfactory bulb. Proceedings of the 25th Annual Meeting of the Association for Chemoreception Sciences. [Abstract]
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Aungst, J. L., Heyward, P. M., Puche, A. C., Karnup, S. V., Hayar, A., Szabo, G., & Shipley, M. (2003). Centre-surround inhibition among olfactory bulb glomeruli. Nature, 426, 623-629.
Journal - Research Article
Heyward, P. M., & Shipley, M. (2003). A device for automated control of pipette internal pressure for patch-clamp recording. Journal of Neuroscience Methods, 123, 109-115.
Journal - Research Article
Heyward, P., & Izhikevich, E. M. (2002, March). Bistability and resonance in dynamics of mitral neurons in olfactory bulb. Poster session presented at the Life Sciences Conference, Boston, MA, USA.
Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)
Wachowiak, M., Heyward, P. M., Puche, A. C., & Shipley, M. T. (2002). Regulation of receptor neuron input to the mouse olfactory bulb mediated by suppression of presynaptic calcium influx. Chemical Senses.27, (pp. A89). [Abstract]
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Wachowiak, M., Heyward, P., Puche, A., & Shipley, M. T. (2002). Regulation of receptor neuron input to the mouse olfactory bulb mediated by suppression of presynaptic calcium influx. Proceedings of the Society for Neuroscience 32nd Annual Meeting. Washington, DC: SfN. [Abstract]
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Puche, A. C., Heyward, P. M., & Shipley, M. T. (2002). Ultra-long-lasting depolarizations in response to olfactory nerve input in developing mitral cells. Chemical Senses.27, (pp. A63). [Abstract]
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Heyward, P. M., Izhikevich, E. M., & Shipley, M. T. (2002). Modeling bistability and resonance in the membrane dynamics of mitral cells. Chemical Senses.27, (pp. A64). [Abstract]
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Hayar, A., Heyward, P. M., Heinbockel, T., Shipley, M. T., & Ennis, M. (2001). Direct excitation of mitral cells via activation of α1-noradrenergic receptors in rat olfactory bulb slices. Journal of Neurophysiology, 86, 2173-2182.
Journal - Research Article
Heyward, P., Ennis, M., Keller, A., & Shipley, M. T. (2001). Membrane bistability in olfactory bulb mitral cells. Journal of Neuroscience, 21(14), 5311-5320.
Journal - Research Article
Heyward, P., Puche, A., & Shipley, M. (2001). Electrophysiology of main olfactory bulb mitral cells during postnatal development: Ultra-long-lasting depolarizations in response to olfactory nerve input. Proceedings of the Society for Neuroscience's 31st Annual Meeting. Washington, DC: SfN. [Abstract]
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Heinbockel, T., Hayar, A., Heyward, P. M., Shipley, M. T., & Ennis, M. (2001, February). Modulation of neural signaling by metabotropic glutamate receptros in rat olfactory bulb slices. Poster session presented at the Colloquia of the National Academy of Sciences, Washington, DC, USA.
Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)
Heinbockel, T., Hayar, A., Heyward, P., Shipley, M., & Ennis, M. (2001). Modulation of neural signaling by metabotropic glutamate receptros in rat olfactory bulb slices. In N. Elsner & G. W. Kreutzberg (Eds.), Göttingen Neurobiology Report.2, (pp. 450). [Abstract]
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Heinbockel, T., Hayar, A., Heyward, P. M., Shipley, M. T., & Ennis, M. (2001). Neural activity is modulated by metabotropic glutamate receptors in rat olfactory bulb slices. Chemical Senses.26, (pp. 1065). [Abstract]
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Heyward, P. M., & Shipley, M. T. (2000). Mitral cell intrinsic membrane properties amplify responses to olfactory nerve synaptic input. Proceedings of the Society for Neuroscience's 30th Annual Meeting. Washington, DC: SfN. [Abstract]
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Heyward, P. M., Ennis, M., & Shipley, M. T. (2000). A persistent sodium current generates up-state plateau potentials and active subthreshold responses to olfactory nerve input in mitral cells of the main olfactory bulb. Chemical Senses.25, (pp. 642). [Abstract]
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract