Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience: The role of metals in learning and memory, including their role in Alzheimer's disease and traumatic brain injury (TBI)
Dr. Flinn’s research focuses on the role of metals in both behavior and physiology. Her research has emphasized the roles of zinc, copper and iron in learning and memory and also in macular degeneration. Her research currently focuses on two specific aspects of metals in behavior, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Her lab is developing genetically modified mice which model late onset Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of the disease and mice which contain both human amyloid and human tau. In Alzheimer’s mice, increased zinc causes an impairment in memory, which may be due to decreased copper. Current studies are examining memory, affiliative behaviors, circadian rhythms, and the role of inflammation and zinc transporters in AD mice. The work on extinction has shown that increased levels of zinc, which may act through reducing copper levels, lead to an inability to extinguish a learned fear normally, a possible factor in PTSD.
Dr. Flinn was the chair of the Department of Psychology from 1984 to 1995. During her tenure, the department was ranked as one of the most improved programs by the National Chronicle of Higher Education. After stepping down as chair, she became the coordinator of the Biopsychology concentration and developed the PhD concentration in Biopsychology (now Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience (CBN)). In 2006, she took over the newly approved undergraduate BS in Neuroscience. The first students graduated in 2009, and there are now over 200 students in the program. Dr Flinn has received the David King Teaching Award and the University Mentoring Award.
| Director Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience Program | 2016-Present |
| Director Undergraduate Neuroscience Program | 2006-2016 |
| Director Biopsychology Program | 1995-2006 |
| Chairman, Department of Psychology | 1984-1995 |
|
David J. King Teaching Award |
2016 |
|
University Undergraduate Mentoring Award |
2015 |
| Distinguished Faculty Award, George Mason University | 1990, 1983 |
| English-Speaking Union Fellow, University of California | 1960-1962 |
| City of Birmingham Scholarship | 1957-1960 |
Stephen L P Lippi, S.L., Kakalec, P.A., Smith, M.L., Flinn, J.M.. ( 2020) Wheel-running behavior is negatively impacted by zinc administration in a novel dual transgenic mouse model of AD. Frontiers in Neuroscience, section Sleep and Circadian Rhythms.
Neely, C.L.C., Boggs, K.N., Pedemonte, K.A. Flinn, J.M. (2019). Nest Building Behavior as an Early Indicator of Behavioral Deficits in Mice. J. Vis. Exp. (152), e60139, doi:10.3791/60139
Neely, C.L.C., Lippi, S.L.P., Lanzirotti, A., Flinn J.M. (2019). Localization of Free and Bound Metal Species through X-Ray Synchrotron Fluorescence Microscopy in the Rodent Brain and Their Relation to Behavior. Brain Sciences. 2019 March 28, 9(4).
Lippi, S.L,P., Craven, K.M., Hernandez, C, Grant G. Flinn J.M. (2019).Perfusion Alters Free Zinc Levels in the Rodent Brain. J Neurosci Methods.315:14-16.
Lippi, S.L,P., Smith, M.M., Flinn J.M.(2018). A novel hAPP/htau mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease: Inclusion of APP with tau exacerbates behavioral deficits and zinc administration heightens tangle pathology. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, in press.
Craven, K.M., W.R., Hernandez C.M., Flinn, J.M. (2018). Zinc Exacerbates Tau Pathology in a Tau Mouse Model. J. Alz.Dis.4(2):617-630.
Neely, C., Lane, C., Torres, J., Flinn, J. (2018). The effect of gentle handling on depressive-like behavior in adult male mice: Considerations for human and rodent interactions in the laboratory. Behav. Neurol. Mar 6;2018:2976014.
Tripona, R.G. , Judit Oláh, J., Nasira, T. , Csincsika,L. , Lok Li, C. , Szunyogh, S., Gonge, H., Flinn, J.M., Ovádic, J., Imre Lengyel, I. (2018) Localization of the Zinc Binding Tubulin Polymerization Promoting Protein in the Mice and Human Eye. J. Trace Elem. Med. and Bio. Available on line Dec 2017.
Boggs K.N., Kakalec, P.A., Smith, M.L., Howell, S.N., Flinn, J.M. (2017). Circadian wheel running behavior is altered in an APP/E4 mouse model of late onset Alzheimer's disease. Physiol. and Behav. 182, 137-142.
Flinn J.M (2016). Amazing Papers in Neuroscience Both Genetic and Environmental Changes Can Enhance Learning and Memory. J.U.N.E. 15(1): R14-16.
Thompson, R.B., Reffatto,V., Bundy, J.G., Flinn, J.M., Lanzirotti, A., Jones, A.E., McPhailg, D.S., Fearn, S., Boldtd, K.,Ueffingd, M., Ratub, S.S., Pauleikhoff, L., Bird, A.C., Lengyel, I. (2015) Identification of hydroxyapatite spherules provides new insight into sub-retinal pigment epithelial deposit formation in the aging eye. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U S A. 112(5):1565 – 70.
Maguire L., Wanschura P.B., Battaglia M.M., Howell, S.N., Flinn, J.M. (2014). Participation In Active Singing Over A 4-Month Period Leads To Cognitive Improvements In A Group of Patients with Dementia. J. Am. Geriatr. Soc. 63(4):815-6.
Flinn, J.M., Bozzelli, P.L., Adlard, P.A., Railey, A.M. (2014). Spatial memory deficits in a mouse model of late-onset Alzheimer’s disease are caused by zinc supplementation and correlate with amyloid-beta levels. Frontiers in Aging. 2014, Oct 22; 6:74.
Graybeal, J.J., Bozzelli, P.L., Graybeal, L.G., McKnight, P.E., Cox, D.N., (2014) Flinn, J.M. Human ApoE ε4 alters circadian rhythm activity, IL-1β and GFAP in CRND8 mice. J. Alzheimers Dis. 2015; 43(3):823-34.
Davidson, D., Chrosniak, L D., Wanschura, P. B Flinn, J.M. (2014) Indications of Reduced Prefrontal Cortical Function in Chronically Homeless Adults. J. Comm. Ment. Hlth. 50:548-552.
Flinn, J.M., Kakalec, P., Tappero, R., Jones, B.J., Lengyel, L. (2014) Correlations in distribution and concentration of calcium, copper and iron with zinc in isolated extracellular deposits associated with age-related macular degeneration. Metallomics. 6 (7): 1223-1228.
Railey, A.M., Groeber, C.M., Flinn, J.M. (2011) The Effect of Metals on Spatial Memory in a Transgenic Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease. J. Alzheimer’s Dis. 24(2) 375-381
Railey, A.M., Micheli, T.L.,Wanschura, P.B., Flinn, J.M. (2010). Alterations in fear response and spatial memory in pre- and post- natal zinc supplemented rats: remediation by copper. Physiology and Behavior. 100(2):95-100.
Linkous, D. H.. Adlard P.A., Wanschura P.B., Conko K.M. and Flinn J.M. (2009).The effects of enhanced zinc on spatial memory and plaque formation in transgenic mice. J, Alzheimer’s Disease. 18(3) 541-551.
Linkous, D.H., Flinn, J.M., Koh, J.Y., Lanzirotti, A., Bertsch, P., Jones, B.F., Fredrickson, C.J. (2008). Evidence that the ZNT-3 protein controls the total amount of elemental zinc in synaptic vesicles. J. Histochem. and Cytochem. 56(1):3-6.
Graybeal, J.J., Bozzelli, P.L., Graybeal, L.G., McKnight, P.E., Cox, D.N., Flinn, J.M. Human ApoE ε4 alters circadian rhythm activity, IL-1β and GFAP in CRND8 mice. In press, J . Alz Dis.
Flinn, J.M., Bozzelli, P.L., Adlard, P.A., Railey, A.M. Spatial memory deficits in a mouse model of late-onset Alzheimer’s disease are caused by zinc supplementation and correlate with amyloid-beta levels. In press, Frontiers in Aging.
Participation In Active Singing Over A 4-Month Period Leads To Cognitive Improvements In A Group Of Patients With Dementia. Maguire L., Wanschura P.B., Battaglia M.M., Howell .SN., Flinn J.M. Accepted in J.Am. Gerontol Soc.
Davidson, D., Chrosniak, L D., Wanschura, P. B Flinn, J.M. (2014) Indications of Reduced Prefrontal Cortical Function in Chronically Homeless Adults. Journal of Community and Mental Health. 50:548-552
Flinn, J.M., Kakalec, P., Tappero, R., Jones, B.J., Lengyel, L. (2014) Correlations in distribution and concentration of calcium, copper and iron with zinc in isolated extracellular deposits associated with age-related macular degeneration. Cover article, Metallomics. 6 (7): 1223-1228.
PSYC 376 Brain and Behavior
PSYC 461 The Brain in Books and Film
PSYC 472 Biological bases of Alzheimer’s Disease
PSYC 558 Neuronal Bases of Learning and Memory
| George Washington University Ph.D. Psychology | 1974 |
| Catholic University of America Ph.D. Physics | 1969 |
| University of California at Los Angeles M.Sc. Physics | 1962 |
| Oxford University B.A.Physics | 1960 |
Increased zinc levels in 129S1 inbred mouse strain as seen through x-ray spectroscopy. Groeber, C.M., Tappero, R., Flinn, J.M.
Infared and X-Ray Spectroscopy: Colocalization of Metals and Protein Conformations in Alzheimer’s Plaques. Flinn, J.M., Koscho, J., Gideons, E., Groeber, C.M., Railey, A., Bohon, J.
The effects of supplemented zinc on the extinction of conditioned fear in older rats. Knaack, G.L. Perez-Casillas T. J. Micheli, T. L., Brown E. T., Erchov, S. C., Lim, Y. B. Flinn, J. M.
Principal Investigator (Since 2000)
Behavioral and inflammatory changes in a mouse model of late onset Alzheimer's disease. PI; co PIs, Natalia Peixoto, Dan Cox. $40,000, Alzheimer’s and Related Diseases Research Fund. (ARDRAF) Virginia.
Brookhaven National labs, General User Agreement for X27A and X26A beamlines,2010-2013. An examination of the role of zinc and other metals in Alzheimer’s disease, macular degeneration, and 129 mice.
Brookhaven National labs, General User Agreement for X27A beamline, 2007-2009. An examination of the role of zinc and other metals in Alzheimer’s disease and macular degeneration.
Brookhaven National Labs 2001-02 (General User Agreement for X26A beamline, renewed 2003-07, An examination of the role of zinc and other metals in memory and Alzheimer’s disease.
Brookhaven National labs, General User Agreement for U2B beamline, 2007-2009. An examination of the effect of metals on amyloid conformation in a mouse model oF Alzheimer’s disease.
Alzheimer’s and Related Diseases Research Fund 2005 (ARDRAF): $25,000. The Effect of Zinc and Iron in Drinking Water on Memory, Amyloid Configuration and Plaque Development in Transgenic Mice.
United States Geological Survey, The effect on Learning and Memory of High Zinc Levels in Drinking Water. 2001, $10,000: 2000, $11,000: 1997, $11,000.
Rachel Barkey, Evaluating the Efficacy of Young Blood Plasma Injections for the Treatment of Mild Repetitive Traumatic Brain Injuries in Mice (2022)
Karin Pedemonte, The Effects of Young Blood Plasma Transfusions on Older hTau Mice Modeling Alzheimer’s Disease (2021)
Carlos Hernandez, Effects of Blood Plasma Transfusion from Young Mice to h-Tau Mice Modeling Alzheimer’s Disease (2019)
Kristen Marie Craven, The Effect of Repetitive Mild Traumatic Brain Injury on an Alzheimer’s Mouse Model (2019)
William R. Kochen, The Effect of Chronic Variable Stress on Repetitive Mild Traumatic Brain Injury with Intranasal Zinc Treatment (2018)
Caroline L. C. Neely, Prophylactic Zinc Supplementation in a Mouse Model of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (2018)
Stephen L. P. Lippi, Characterization of a Novel hAPP/Tau Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease: Exploring the Impact of Zinc Supplementation (2018)
Katelyn Boggs, An Investigation into the Role of Dietary Copper and Zinc on Cu/Zn Cellular Bioavailability, Inflammation, and Species Typical Behaviors in a Late Onset Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease (2017)
Stefanie N. Howell, A Longitudinal Investigation into the Effects of Zn and Cu on Spatial Learning/Memory and Social Preference in a Mouse Model of LOAD (2016)
Caitlin M. Groeber, An Investigation into the Role of Iron, Copper, and Gender in a Transgenic Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease (2013)