Chao-Yin Chen, Ph.D.

Associate Professor In-Residence
Ph.D., Kent State University, 1996
(530) 754-6458
e-mail

Graduate Group Affiliations

Exercise Science Graduate Group

Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Physiology

Research Interests

Central neuroplasticity in cardiovascular regulation

Research Synopsis

Blood pressure and heart rate are regulated by CNS on a moment-to-moment bases.   Depending on the interaction between the genetic and environmental factors, the CNS regulatory output can result in either a normal or a pathological outcome.  My research focuses on central regulation of cardiovascular function and how this regulation is altered in response to environmental factors such as exercise, stress, exposure to air pollution, hypertension, and obesity.  We are particularly interested in how the neurons in the baroreflex pathways change their intrinsic and/or synaptic properties as well as the neurotransmitter/neuromodulator and the receptors involved in the altered regulatory output.  Studies are carried out in two major brainstem nuclei: the first central site that receives and integrates sensory information (Nucleus Tractus Solitarii) and the final output for cardiac parasympathetic motor nerves (Nucleus Ambiguus).

Selected Publications

2002 Bonham, A. C. and C-Y. Chen.  Glutamatergic neural transmission in the NTS: N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors.  Clin. Exp. Pharmacol. & Physiol.  29 (5-6): 497-502.

2002 Chen, C-Y., P. A. Munch, A. W. Quail, and A. C. Bonham.  Post-exercise hypotension in conscious SHR is attenuated by blockade of substance P receptors in nucleus tractus solitarius.  Am. J. Physiol. Heart Circ. Physiol.  283(5):H1856-H1862.

2003 Chen, C-Y., A. C. Bonham, C. G. Plopper, and J. P. Joad.  Neuroplasticity in nucleus tractus solitarius following episodic ozone exposure in infant primates.  J. Appl. Physiol. 94(2):819-827.

2004 Joad, J. P., P. A. Munch, J. M. Bric, S. J. Evans, K. E. Pinkerton, C-Y. Chen, and A. C. Bonham.  Passive smoke effects on cough and airways in young guinea pigs: role of brainstem substance P.  Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. 169(4):499-504.

2005 Bonham, A.C. and C-Y. Chen.  Synaptic transmission in the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS).  In: Advances in vagal afferent neurobiology.  Frontiers in Neuroscience Series, CRC Press.

2005 Chen, C-Y. and A. C. Bonham.  Glutamate suppresses GABA release via presynaptic metabotropic glutamate receptors at baroreceptor neurones in rats.  J. Physiol. 562(Pt2):535-551.

2005 Beeton C., M.W. Pennington, H. Wulff, S. Singh, D. Nugent, G. Crossley, I. Khaytin, P.A. Calabresi, C-Y. Chen, G.A. Gutman, K.G. Chandy.  Targeting effector memory T cells with a selective peptide inhibitor of Kv1.3 channels for therapy of autoimmune diseases.  Mol. Pharmacol. 67(4):1369-81.

2006 Bonham, A. C., C-Y. Chen, S. I. Sekizawa, J. P. Joad.  Plasticity in the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) and its influence on lung and airway reflexes.  J. Appl. Physiol.  101(1): 322-327. 

2006 Bonham, A. C., S. I. Sekizawa, C-Y. Chen, J. P. Joad.  Plasticity of brainstem mechanisms of cough.  Respir. Physiol. Neurobiol. 152(3): 312-319. 

2007 Joad, J. P., S. I. Sekizawa, C-Y. Chen, A. C. Bonham.  Air pollutants and cough.  Pulmonary Pharmacology & Therapeutics 20(4): 347-354. 

2008 Chen, C-Y., D. Chow, N. Chiamvimonvat, K. A. Glatter, N. Li, Y. He, K. E. Pinkerton, and A. C. Bonham.  Short-term second-hand smoke exposure decreases heart rate variability and increases arrhythmia susceptibility in mice.  Am. J. Physiol. Heart Circ. Physiol.  295(2):H632-H639. 

2008 S. Sekizawa, C-Y. Chen, A. G. Bechtold, J. M. Tabor, J. M. Bric, K. E. Pinkerton, J. P. Joad, and A. C. Bonham.  Extended secondhand tobacco smoke exposure induces plasticity in nucleus tractus solitarius second-order lung afferent neurons in young guinea pigs.  Eur. J. Neurosci. 28(4):771-78. 

2009 Chen, C-Y., J.P. Joad, J. Bric, A.C. Bonham.  Central mechanisms I: plasticity of central pathways.  Handb Exp Pharmacol.  187: 187-201.

2009 Chen, C-Y., A. G. Bechtold, J. M. Tabor, and A. C. Bonham.  Post-exercise hypotension is associated with neurokinin 1 receptor internalization.  J. Neurosciences. 29: 2754-2761.

2009 Pham, H., A. C. Bonham, K. E. Pinkerton, C-Y. Chen.  Central neuroplasticity and decreased heart rate variability following particulate matter exposure in mice.  Environmental Health Perspective. 117(9): 1448 – 53.