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Stephen J. Goldberg, Ph.D.
Professor
Retired January, 2007
B.A., Biology, Antioch College (1965)
Ph.D., Biology, Clark University
(1971)
Postdoctoral training University of California at Los Angeles in neurophysiology
| Office Address: | | Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology | | | | Virginia
Commonwealth University Medical Campus | | | | 6370 Evian Pl | | | | Boynton Beach, FL 33437-4909 | | Office
Phone: | | (561) 732-5281 | | FAX: | | (561) 732-5281 (by arrangement) | | e-mail: | | sgoldber@vcu.edu |
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RESEARCH AND SCHOLARLY INTERESTS
We investigated, and still publish on, the neurophysiological and mechanical properties of brain stem motor units involved in
two separate motor control systems: (1) tongue and (2) eye movements. One component of a motor unit, the motoneuron, was studied
through intracellular and extracellular recording and stimulation. We examined motoneuron conduction velocity, physical size and
shape as well as synaptic inputs. Input resistance and rheobase were occasionally examined. The other component of a motor unit,
the muscle fibers innervated by a single motoneuron, was studied using a force transducer. We measured muscle mechanics in
response to intracellular and extracellular stimulation of the motoneuron. Muscle twitch contraction, tetany, fusion frequency
and fatigue were delineated. We wanted to know what correlations exist between motoneuron physiological and muscle fiber
contractile measures. Also, we compared the motor unit types seen in the brain stem to those found in the spinal cord by other
investigators. Additionally, morphological studies were done in both the eye movement and tongue motor systems. We were
interested in discerning the basic mechanisms of brain stem controlled movement and thereby contributing to our understanding of
neuromuscular disorders.
A critical finding for the development of tongue movement is that reduced movement (caused by “artificial rearing” (postnatal))
has anatomical and physiological consequences later in life.
A critical finding for the eye movement system is that the eyes can move accurately and quickly with far fewer motoneurons than
are present in normal mammals. This provides a measure of protection against injury and disease.
REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS
Goldberg, S. J., Meredith, M. A. and Shall, M. S. Extraocular motor unit and
whole-muscle responses in the lateral rectus muscle of the squirrel monkey.
Journal of Neuroscience. 18:10629-10639, 1998.
Goldberg, S. J. and Shall, M. S. Motor units of extraocular muscles: recent
findings. Progress in Brain Research. 123:221-232, 1999.
Sutlive, T. G., Shall, M. S., McClung, J. R. and Goldberg, S. J. Contractile
properties of the tongue's genioglossus muscle and motor units in the rat. Muscle
Nerve. 23:416-425, 2000.
McClung, J.R., Allman, B.L., Dimitrova, D.M. and Goldberg, S.J. Extraocular connective tissues: a role in human eye movements? Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 47:202-205, 2006.
Smith, J.C., Moore, W.A., Goldberg, S.J. and Shall, M.S. Contractile properties and myosin heavy chain composition of rat tongue retrusor musculature show changes in early adulthood after 19 days of artificial rearing. J. Appl. Physiol. 101:1053-1059, 2006.
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