Professor Colin Brown

Contact Details
- Phone
- +64 3 479 7354
- colin.brown@otago.ac.nz
University Links
- Position
- Professor
- Department
- Department of Physiology
- Qualifications
- BSc(Hons) PhD
- Research summary
- Neuroendocrinology
Research
Our research group principally uses electrophysiology and immunohistochemistry to determine how the brain controls birth, lactation, food intake and water balance. We currently focus on the control of the secretion of the hormone, oxytocin, which is necessary for birth and lactation, and is involved in driving increased food intake during pregnancy. We are also investigating how vasopressin (anti-diuretic hormone) neurons prevent water loss in the urine to protect from dehydration and how malfunction of vasopressin neurons might contribute to the development of hypertension.
Publications
Kumar, S. S., Bouwer, G. T., Jackson, M. K., Perkinson, M. R., McDonald, F. J., Brown, C. H., & Augustine, R. A. (2023). Kisspeptin neuron projections to oxytocin neurons are not necessary for parturition in the mouse. Brain Structure & Function, 228, 1535-1548. doi: 10.1007/s00429-023-02670-7
Brown, E. F., Fronius, M., & Brown, C. H. (2022). Vasopressin regulation of maternal body fluid balance in pregnancy and lactation: A role for TRPV channels? Molecular & Cellular Endocrinology, 558, 111764. doi: 10.1016/j.mce.2022.111764
Abbasi, M., Augustine, R. A., Iremonger, K. J., & Brown, C. H. (2022). Central kisspeptin does not affect ERK1/2 or p38 phosphorylation in oxytocin neurons of late-pregnant rats. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23(14), 7729. doi: 10.3390/ijms23147729
Perkinson, M. R., Kirchner, M. K., Zhang, M., Augustine, R. A., Stern, J. E., & Brown, C. H. (2022). α-Melanocyte-stimulating hormone inhibition of oxytocin neurons switches to excitation in late pregnancy and lactation. Physiological Reports, 10, e15226. doi: 10.14814/phy2.15226
Abbasi, M., Perkinson, M. R., Seymour, A. J., Piet, R., Campbell, R. E., Iremonger, K. J., & Brown, C. H. (2022). Local kisspeptin excitation of rat oxytocin neurones in late pregnancy. Journal of Physiology, 600(7), 1753-1770. doi: 10.1113/jp282531
Brown, C. H. (2016). Magnocellular neurons and posterior pituitary function. In D. M. Pollock (Ed.), Comprehensive physiology (Vol. 6). (pp. 1701-1741). American Physiological Society. doi: 10.1002/cphy.c150053
Chapter in Book - Research
Brown, C. H., Han, S. Y., Moaddab, M., Scott, V., & Schwenke, D. O. (2015). Peptidergic control of oxytocin and vasopressin neurons and its role in reproduction and hypertension-associated plasticity. In W. E. Armstrong & J. G. Tasker (Eds.), Neurophysiology of neuroendocrine neurons. (pp. 63-84). Chichester, UK: Wiley Blackwell. doi: 10.1002/9781118606803.ch3
Chapter in Book - Research
Brown, C. H. (2005). Autocrine modulation of excitability by dendritic peptide release from magnocellular neurosecretory cells. In M. Ludwig (Ed.), Dendritic neurotransmitter release. (pp. 223-237). New York: Kluwer Academic.
Chapter in Book - Research
Roper, P., Brown, C. H., Bourque, C. W., & Armstrong, W. E. (2005). Autoregulation of bursting of AVP neurons of the rat hypothalamus. In S. Coombes & P. C. Bressloff (Eds.), Bursting: The genesis of rhythm in the nervous system. (pp. 49-88). Singapore: World Scientific.
Chapter in Book - Research
Kumar, S. S., Bouwer, G. T., Jackson, M. K., Perkinson, M. R., McDonald, F. J., Brown, C. H., & Augustine, R. A. (2023). Kisspeptin neuron projections to oxytocin neurons are not necessary for parturition in the mouse. Brain Structure & Function, 228, 1535-1548. doi: 10.1007/s00429-023-02670-7
Journal - Research Article
Abbasi, M., Augustine, R. A., Iremonger, K. J., & Brown, C. H. (2022). Central kisspeptin does not affect ERK1/2 or p38 phosphorylation in oxytocin neurons of late-pregnant rats. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23(14), 7729. doi: 10.3390/ijms23147729
Journal - Research Article
Abbasi, M., Perkinson, M. R., Seymour, A. J., Piet, R., Campbell, R. E., Iremonger, K. J., & Brown, C. H. (2022). Local kisspeptin excitation of rat oxytocin neurones in late pregnancy. Journal of Physiology, 600(7), 1753-1770. doi: 10.1113/jp282531
Journal - Research Article
Brown, E. F., Fronius, M., & Brown, C. H. (2022). Vasopressin regulation of maternal body fluid balance in pregnancy and lactation: A role for TRPV channels? Molecular & Cellular Endocrinology, 558, 111764. doi: 10.1016/j.mce.2022.111764
Journal - Research Article
Perkinson, M. R., Kirchner, M. K., Zhang, M., Augustine, R. A., Stern, J. E., & Brown, C. H. (2022). α-Melanocyte-stimulating hormone inhibition of oxytocin neurons switches to excitation in late pregnancy and lactation. Physiological Reports, 10, e15226. doi: 10.14814/phy2.15226
Journal - Research Article
Li, T., Jia, S.-W., Hou, D., Liu, X., Li, D., Liu, Y., … Brown, C. H., & Wang, Y.-F. (2021). Intranasal oxytocin restoration of maternal behavior and oxytocin neuronal activity in the supraoptic nucleus in rat dams with pre-labor cesarean delivery. Neuroscience, 468, 235-246. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2021.06.020
Journal - Research Article
Nair, B. B., Khant Aung, Z., Porteous, R., Prescott, M., Glendining, K. A., Jenkins, D. E., Augustine, R. A., Silva, M. S. B., Yip, S. H., Bouwer, G. T., Brown, C. H., Jasoni, C. L., Campbell, R. E., Bunn, S. J., Anderson, G. M., Grattan, D. R., Herbison, A. E., & Iremonger, K. J. (2021). Impact of chronic variable stress on neuroendocrine hypothalamus and pituitary in male and female C57BL/6J mice. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 33, e12972. doi: 10.1111/jne.12972
Journal - Research Article
Perkinson, M., Augustine, R. A., Bouwer, G. T., Brown, E. F., Cheong, I., Seymour, A. J., Fronius, M., & Brown, C. H. (2021). Plasticity in intrinsic excitability of hypothalamic magnocellular neurosecretory neurons in late-pregnant and lactating rats. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22(13), 7140. doi: 10.3390/ijms22137140
Journal - Research Article
Roy, R. K., Althammer, F., Seymour, A. J., Du, W., Biancardi, V. C., Hamm, J. P., … Brown, C. H., & Stern, J. E. (2021). Inverse neurovascular coupling contributes to positive feedback excitation of vasopressin neurons during a systemic homeostatic challenge. Cell Reports, 37(5), 109925. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109925
Journal - Research Article
Sethi, S., Augustine, R. A., Bouwer, G. T., Perkinson, M. R., Cheong, I., Bussey, C. T., Schwenke, D. O., Brown, C. H., & Lamberts, R. R. (2021). Increased neuronal activation in sympathoregulatory regions of the brain and spinal cord in type 2 diabetic rats. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 33, e13016. doi: 10.1111/jne.13016
Journal - Research Article
Roy, R. K., Augustine, R. A., Brown, C. H., & Schwenke, D. O. (2019). Acute myocardial infarction activates magnocellular vasopressin and oxytocin neurons. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 31, e12808. doi: 10.1111/jne.12808
Journal - Research Article
Korpal, A. K., Brown, C. H., & Schwenke, D. O. (2018). Assessing the role of hypothalamic microglia and blood vessel disruption in the development of angiotensin II-dependent hypertension in Cyp1a1-Ren2 rats. Pflügers Archiv: European Journal of Physiology, 470(6), 883-895. doi: 10.1007/s00424-018-2128-x
Journal - Research Article
Korpal, A. K., Han, S. Y., Schwenke, D. O., & Brown, C. H. (2018). A switch from GABA inhibition to excitation of vasopressin neurones exacerbates the development angiotensin II-dependent hypertension. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 30(8), e12564. doi: 10.1111/jne.12564
Journal - Research Article
Roy, R. K., Augustine, R. A., Brown, C. H., & Schwenke, D. O. (2018). Activation of oxytocin neurons in the paraventricular nucleus drives cardiac sympathetic nerve activation following myocardial infarction in rats. Communications Biology, 1, 160. doi: 10.1038/s42003-018-0169-5
Journal - Research Article
Augustine, R. A., Ladyman, S. R., Bouwer, G. T., Alyousif, Y., Sapsford, T. J., Scott, V., Kokay, I. C., Grattan, D. R., & Brown, C. H. (2017). Prolactin regulation of oxytocin neurone activity in pregnancy and lactation. Journal of Physiology, 595(11), 3591-3605. doi: 10.1113/jp273712
Journal - Research Article
Seymour, A. J., Scott, V., Augustine, R. A., Bouwer, G. T., Campbell, R. E., & Brown, C. H. (2017). Development of an excitatory kisspeptin projection to the oxytocin system in late pregnancy. Journal of Physiology, 595(3), 825-838. doi: 10.1113/jp273051
Journal - Research Article
Augustine, R. A., Bouwer, G. T., Seymour, A. J., Grattan, D. R., & Brown, C. H. (2016). Reproductive regulation of gene expression in the hypothalamic supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 28(4). doi: 10.1111/jne.12350
Journal - Research Article
Kim, J. S., Brown, C. H., & Anderson, G. M. (2016). Anti-opioid effects of RFRP-3 on magnocellular neuron activity in morphine-naïve and morphine-treated female rats. Endocrinology, 157(10), 4003-4011. doi: 10.1210/en.2016-1374
Journal - Research Article
Ladyman, S. R., Augustine, R. A., Scherf, E., Phillipps, H. R., Brown, C. H., & Grattan, D. R. (2016). Attenuated hypothalamic responses to α-melanocyte stimulating hormone during pregnancy in the rat. Journal of Physiology, 594(4), 1087-1101. doi: 10.1113/jp271605
Journal - Research Article
Royo, J. M., Brown, C. H., Leng, G., & MacGregor, D. J. (2016). Oxytocin neurones: Intrinsic mechanisms governing the regularity of spiking activity. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 28(4). doi: 10.1111/jne.12358
Journal - Research Article
Choe, K. Y., Han, S. Y., Gaub, P., Shell, B., Voisin, D. L., Knapp, B. A., … Brown, C. H., … Bourque, C. W. (2015). High salt intake increases blood pressure via BDNF-mediated downregulation of KCC2 and impaired baroreflex inhibition of vasopressin neurons. Neuron, 85(3), 549-560. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2014.12.048
Journal - Research Article
Han, S. Y., Bouwer, G. T., Seymour, A. J., Korpal, A. K., Schwenke, D. O., & Brown, C. H. (2015). Induction of hypertension blunts baroreflex inhibition of vasopressin neurons in the rat. European Journal of Neuroscience, 42(9), 2690-2698. doi: 10.1111/ejn.13062
Journal - Research Article
Moaddab, M., Hyland, B. I., & Brown, C. H. (2015). Oxytocin enhances the expression of morphine-induced conditioned place preference in rats. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 53, 159-169. doi: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2015.01.003
Journal - Research Article
Moaddab, M., Hyland, B. I., & Brown, C. H. (2015). Oxytocin excites nucleus accumbens shell neurons in vivo. Molecular & Cellular Neuroscience, 68, 323-330. doi: 10.1016/j.mcn.2015.08.013
Journal - Research Article
Han, S. Y., Gray, E., Hughes, G., Brown, C. H., & Schwenke, D. O. (2014). Increased sympathetic drive during the onset of hypertension in conscious Cyp1a1-Ren2 rats. Pflügers Archiv: European Journal of Physiology, 466(3), 459-466. doi: 10.1007/s00424-013-1338-5
Journal - Research Article
Joe, N., Scott, V., & Brown, C. H. (2014). Glial regulation of extrasynaptic NMDA receptor-mediated excitation of supraoptic nucleus neurons during dehydration. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 26(1), 35-42. doi: 10.1111/jne.12121
Journal - Research Article
Brown, C. H., Bains, J. S., Ludwig, M., & Stern, J. E. (2013). Physiological regulation of magnocellular neurosecretory cell activity: Integration of intrinsic, local and afferent mechanisms. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 25(8), 678-710. doi: 10.1111/jne.12051
Journal - Research Article
Scott, V., & Brown, C. H. (2013). Beyond the GnRH axis: Kisspeptin regulation of the oxytocin system in pregnancy and lactation. Advances in Experimental Medicine & Biology, 784, 201-218. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4614-6199-9_10
Journal - Research Article
Tasker, J. G., Oliet, S. H. R., Bains, J. S., Brown, C. H., & Stern, J. E. (2012). Glial regulation of neuronal function: From synapse to systems physiology. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 24(4), 566-576. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2826.2011.02259.x
Journal - Research Article
Bull, P. M., Russell, J. A., Scott, V., & Brown, C. H. (2011). Apamin increases post-spike excitability of supraoptic nucleus neurons in anaesthetized morphine-naïve rats and morphine-dependent rats: Consequences for morphine withdrawal excitation. Experimental Brain Research, 212(4), 517-528. doi: 10.1007/s00221-011-2759-z
Journal - Research Article
Fleming, T. M., Scott, V., Naskar, K., Joe, N., Brown, C. H., & Stern, J. E. (2011). State-dependent changes in astrocyte regulation of extrasynaptic NMDA receptor signalling in neurosecretory neurons. Journal of Physiology, 589(16), 3929-3941. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.2011.207340
Journal - Research Article
Ruan, M., Russell, J. A., & Brown, C. H. (2011). Acute morphine administration and withdrawal from chronic morphine increase afterdepolarization amplitude in rat supraoptic nucleus neurons in hypothalamic explants. Neuropharmacology, 61, 789-797. doi: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2011.05.025
Journal - Research Article
Scott, V., & Brown, C. H. (2011). Kisspeptin activation of supraoptic nucleus neurons in Vivo. Endocrinology, 152(10), 3862-3870. doi: 10.1210/en.2011-1181
Journal - Research Article
Scott, V., & Brown, C. H. (2010). State-dependent plasticity in vasopressin neurones: Dehydration-induced changes inactivity patterning. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 22(5), 343-354. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2826.2010.01961.x
Journal - Research Article
Ruan, M., & Brown, C. H. (2009). Feedback inhibition of action potential discharge by endogenous adenosine enhancement of the medium afterhyperpolarization. Journal of Physiology, 587(Pt 5), 1043-1056. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.2008.167239
Journal - Research Article
Scott, V., Bishop, V. R., Leng, G., & Brown, C. H. (2009). Dehydration-induced modulation of κ-opioid inhibition of vasopressin neurone activity. Journal of Physiology, 587(23), 5679-5689. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.2009.180232
Journal - Research Article
Brown, C. H., Brunton, P. J., & Russell, J. A. (2008). Rapid estradiol-17β modulation of opioid actions on the electrical and secretory activity of rat oxytocin neurons in vivo. Neurochemical Research, 33(4), 614-623.
Journal - Research Article
Brown, C. H., Ruan, M., Scott, V., Tobin, V. A., & Ludwig, M. (2008). Multi-factorial somato-dendritic regulation of phasic spike discharge in vasopressin neurons. Progress in Brain Research, 170, 219-228.
Journal - Research Article
Leng, G., Brown, C., Sabatier, N., & Scott, V. (2008). Population dynamics in vasopressin cells. Neuroendocrinology, 88(3), 160-172.
Journal - Research Article
Brown, C. H., & Grattan, D. R. (2007). Does maternal oxytocin protect the fetal brain? Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism, 18(6), 225-226.
Journal - Research Article
Brown, C. H., Scott, V., Ludwig, M., Leng, G., & Bourque, C. W. (2007). Somatodendritic dynorphin release: Orchestrating activity patterns of vasopressin neurons. Biochemical Society Transactions, 35(5), 1236-1242.
Journal - Research Article
Brown, C. H., & Bourque, C. W. (2006). Mechanisms of rhythmogenesis: Insights from hypothalamic vasopressin neurons. Trends in Neurosciences, 29(2), 108-115.
Journal - Research Article
Brown, C. H., Leng, G., Ludwig, M., & Bourque, C. W. (2006). Endogenous activation of supraoptic nucleus κ-opioid receptors terminates spontaneous phasic bursts in rat magnocellular neurosecretory cells. Journal of Neurophysiology, 95, 3235-3244.
Journal - Research Article
Bull, P. M., Brown, C. H., Russell, J. A., & Ludwig, M. (2006). Activity-dependent feedback modulation of spike patterning of supraoptic nucleus neurons by endogenous adenosine. American Journal of Physiology: Regulatory, Integrative & Comparative Physiology, 291, R83-R90. doi: 10.1152/ajpregu.00744.2005
Journal - Research Article
Brown, C. H., Stern, J. E., Jackson, K. L. M., Bull, P. M., Leng, G., & Russell, J. A. (2005). Morphine withdrawal increases intrinsic excitability of oxytocin neurons in morphine-dependent rats. European Journal of Neuroscience, 21, 501-512.
Journal - Research Article
Brown, C. (2004). Rhythmogenesis in vasopressin cells. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 16, 727-739.
Journal - Research Article
Brown, C., & Bourque, C. W. (2004). Autocrine feedback inhibition of plateau potentials terminates phasic bursts in magnocellular neurosecretory cells of the rat supraoptic nucleus. Journal of Physiology, 557(3), 949-960.
Journal - Research Article
Brown, C., & Russell, J. A. (2004). Cellular mechanisms underlying neuronal excitability during morphine withdrawal in physical dependence: Lessons from the magnocellular oxytocin system. Stress, 7(2), 97-107.
Journal - Research Article
Brown, C., Bull, P. M., & Bourque, C. W. (2004). Phasic bursts in rat magnocellular neurosecretory cells are not intrinsically regenerative in vivo. European Journal of Neuroscience, 19, 2977-2983.
Journal - Research Article
Brown, C., Ludwig, M., & Leng, G. (2004). Temporal dissociation of the feedback effects of dendritically co-released peptides on rhythmogenesis in vasopressin cells. Neuroscience, 124, 105-111.
Journal - Research Article
Engelmann, M., Bull, P. M., Brown, C., Landgraf, R., Horn, T. F. W., Singewald, N., … Wotjak, C. T. (2004). GABA selectively controls the secretory activity of oxytocin neurons in the rat supraoptic nucleus. European Journal of Neuroscience, 19, 601-608.
Journal - Research Article
Johnstone, L. E., Leng, G., & Brown, C. (2004). Effects of neurotensin on the organization of activity in supraoptic nucleus cells in virgin and lactating rats. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 16, 605-611.
Journal - Research Article
Sabatier, N., Brown, C., Ludwig, M., & Leng, G. (2004). Phasic spike patterning in rat supraoptic neurones in vivo and in vitro. Journal of Physiology, 558(1), 161-180.
Journal - Research Article
Bull, P. M., Ludwig, M., Blackburn-Munro, G. J., Delgado-Cohen, H., Brown, C., & Russell, J. A. (2003). The role of nitric oxide in morphine dependence and withdrawal excitation of rat oxytocin neurons. European Journal of Neuroscience, 18, 2545-2551.
Journal - Research Article
Doi, N., Brown, C., Delgado Cohen, H., Leng, G., & Russell, J. A. (2001). Effects of the endogenous opioid peptide, endomorphin 1, on supraoptic nucleus oxytocin and vasopressin neurones in vivo and in vitro. British Journal of Pharmacology, 132, 1136-1144.
Journal - Research Article
Leng, G., Brown, C., & et al (2001). Responses of magnocellular neurons to osmotic stimulation involves coactivation of excitatory and inhibitory input: An experimental and theoretical analysis. Journal of Neuroscience, 21(17), 6967-6977.
Journal - Research Article
Blackburn-Munro, G., Brown, C., Neumann, I. D., Landgraf, R., & Russell, J. A. (2000). Verapamil prevents withdrawal excitation of oxytocin neurones in morphine-dependent rats. Neuropharmacology, 39, 1596-1607.
Journal - Research Article
Brown, C., & Leng, G. (2000). In vivo modulation of post-spike excitability in vasopressin cells by κ-opioid receptor activation. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 12, 711-714.
Journal - Research Article
Brown, C., Johnstone, L. E., Murphy, N. P., Leng, G., & Russell, J. A. (2000). Local injection of pertussis toxin attenuates morphine withdrawal excitation of rat supraoptic nucleus neurones. Brain Research Bulletin, 52(2), 115-121.
Journal - Research Article
Johnstone, L. E., Brown, C., & et al (2000). Local morphine withdrawal increases c-fos gene, Fos protein, and oxytocin gene expression in hypothalamic magnocellular neurosecretory cells. Journal of Neuroscience, 20(3), 1272-1280.
Journal - Research Article
Russell, J. A., Brown, C., & Leng, G. (2000). Opioid modulation of magnocellular neurosecretory cell activity. Neuroscience Research, 36, 97-120.
Journal - Research Article
Perkinson, M. R., Kim, J. S., Iremonger, K. J., & Brown, C. H. (2021). Visualising oxytocin neurone activity in vivo: The key to unlocking central regulation of parturition and lactation [Invited review]. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 33, e13012. doi: 10.1111/jne.13012
Journal - Research Other
Brown, C. H., Ludwig, M., Tasker, J. G., & Stern, J. E. (2020). Somato-dendritic vasopressin and oxytocin secretion in endocrine and autonomic regulation. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 32, e12856. doi: 10.1111/jne.12856
Journal - Research Other
Zhang, L., Vaudry, D., Brown, C. H., & Eiden, L. E. (2019). Regulatory peptides in neuroscience and endocrinology: A new era begins. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 10, 793. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2019.00793
Journal - Research Other
Augustine, R. A., Seymour, A. J., Campbell, R. E., Grattan, D. R., & Brown, C. H. (2018). Integrative neurohumoral regulation of oxytocin neurone activity in pregnancy and lactation. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 30(8), e12569. doi: 10.1111/jne.12569
Journal - Research Other