Sanford School of Medicine Basic Biomedical Sciences

Gina Forster, Ph.D.

Gina Forster
Associate Professor
Medicine: Basic Biomedical Sciences, Health Affairs
UMS Lee Med/Sanford School of Medicine 259
Phone: 605-677-6883
Teaching Interests:
Neuroscience Biopsychology Neuropharmacology
Research Interests:
Neuroscience Addiction Neurobiology underlying anxiety states
Education:
  • Postdoctoral, Neuroendocrinology , University of South Dakota, 2004
  • Postdoctoral, Neuroendocrinology , Macquarie University, 2002
  • Ph D, Psychology/Neuroscience, Macquarie University, 2002
  • BS, Psychology , University of Otago, 1997
Publications:
  • Burke, A., Forster, G., Novick, A., Roberts, C., Watt, M., Effects of adolescent social defeat on adult amphetamine-induced locomotion and corticoaccumbal dopamine release in male rats, Neuropharmacology, vol. in press.
  • Waters, R. P., Pringle, R. B., Forster, G., Renner, K. J., Malisch, J. L., Garland, T., Swallow, J., Effects of selection for increased voluntary wheel running on behavioral activity, plasma corticosterone and brain monoamines in mice, Brain Research, vol. submitted.
  • Barr, J., Scholl, J., Solanki, R., Watt, M., Lowry, C., Renner, K., Forster, G., Influence of chronic amphetamine treatment and acute withdrawal on serotonin synthesis and clearance mechanisms in the rat ventral hippocampus, European Journal of Neuroscience, vol. in press.
  • Forster, G., Novick, A., Scholl, J., Watt, M., (2012), The role of the amygdala in anxiety disorders, InTech, pp. 61-102.
  • Meyer, D., Davies, D., Barr, J., Manzerra, P., Forster, G., (2012), Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in the Rat Alters Neuronal Number in the Limbic System and Increases Conditioned Fear and Anxiety-like Behaviors., Experimental Neurology, vol. 235, pp. 574-87.
  • Novick, A., Forster, G., Tejani-Butt, S., Watt, M., (2011), Adolescent social defeat alters markers of adult dopaminergic function, Brain Research Bulletin, vol. 86, pp. 123-128.
  • Burke, A., Watt, M., Forster, G., (2011), Adolescent social defeat increases adult amphetamine conditioned place preference and alters D2 dopamine receptor expression., Neuroscience, vol. 197, pp. 269-279.
  • Burke, A., Forster, G., Novick, A., Roberts, C., Watt, M., (2011), Adult amphetamine-induced locomotion and dopamine release in the medial prefrontal cortex and nucleus accumbens following adolescent social defeat in rats , Society for Neuroscience Abstracts, p. 927.10.
  • Burke, A. R., Forster, G., Novick, A. M., Watt, M., (2011), Adult medial prefrontal cortex and nucleus accumbens amphetamine-induced dopamine release following adolescent social defeat, p. 19.
  • Bledsoe, A., Oliver, K., Scholl, J., Forster, G., (2011), Anxiety states induced by post-weaning social isolation are mediated by CRF receptors in the dorsal raphe nucleus, Brain Research Bulletin, vol. 85, pp. 117-122.
  • Forster, G., Scholl, J., Reinbold, E., Oliver, K., Watt, M., (2011), Central CRF2 receptor antagonism reduces anxiety states during amphetamine withdrawal , Society for Neuroscience Abstracts, p. 901.20.
  • Miiller, L., Novick, A., Forster, G., Watt, M., (2011), Effects of adolescence social defeat on adult cognitive function and reward motivation, Faculty for Undergraduate Neuroscience Abstracts, p. 66.
  • Novick, A., Forster, G., Watt, M., (2011), Effects of adolescent social defeat on adult working memory , Society for Neuroscience Abstracts, p. 927.03.
  • Barr, J., Scholl, J., Lowry, C., Renner, K., Forster, G., (2011), Influence of chronic amphetamine treatment on serotonin reuptake mechanisms in the rat ventral hippocampus , Society for Neuroscience Abstracts, p. 472.08.
  • Roberts, C., Mingo, M., Scholl, J., Meyer, D., Oliver, K., Barr, J., Forster, G., Watt, M., (2011), Mechanisms underlying disruptions to cortical dopamine activity caused by adolescent social defeat, Faculty for Undergraduate Neuroscience Abstracts, p. 72.
  • Davies, D., Meyer, D., Barr, J., Manzerra, P., Forster, G., (2011), Mild traumatic brain injury and its effect on contextual fear conditioning and anxiety states similiar to posttraumatic stress disorder, Faculty for Undergradaute Neuroscience Abstracts, p. 40.
  • Barr, J. L., Forster, G., (2011), Serotonergic neurotransmission in the ventral hippocampus is enhanced by corticosterone and altered by chronic amphetamine treatment. , Neuroscience, vol. 182, pp. 105-114.
  • Burke, A. R., Renner, K., Forster, G., Watt, M., (2010), Adolescent social defeat alters neural, endocrine and behavioral responses to amphetamine in adult male rats, Brain Research, vol. 1352, pp. 147-156.
  • Scholl, J. L., Renner, K., Forster, G., Tejani-Butt, S., , (2010), Central monoamine levels differ between rat strains used in studies of depressive behavior, Brain Research, vol. 1355, pp. 41-51.
  • Vuong, S., Oliver, H., Scholl, J., Oliver, K., Forster, G., (2010), Increased anxiety-like behavior of rats during amphetamine withdrawal is reversed by CRF-2 receptor antagonism. , Behavioural Brain Research, iss. 208, pp. 278-281.
  • Watt, M., Roberts, C., Renner, K., Scholl, J., Haaland, E., Forster, G., (2010), Mechanisms and consequences of disrupting cortical dopamine activity during adolescence, Neuroscience Abstracts, p. 125.
  • Feng, N., Lowry, C. A., Lukkes, J. L., Orchinik, M., Forster, G., Renner, K., (2010), Organic cation transporter inhibition increases medial hypothalamic serotonin under basal conditions and during mild restraint, Brain Research, vol. 1326, pp. 105-113.
  • Waters, R. P., Renner, K., Summers, C., Watt, M., Forster, G., Koch, L. G., Britten, S. L., Swallow, J., (2010), Selection for intrinsic endurance modifies endocrine stress responsiveness , Brain Research, vol. 1357, pp. 53 - 61.
  • Barr, J. L., Renner, K., Forster, G., (2010), Withdrawal from Chronic Amphetamine Produces Persistent Anxiety-like Behavior but Temporally-Limited Reductions in Monoamines and Neurogenesis in the Adult Rat Dentate Gyrus, Neuropharmacology.
  • Watt, M., Burke, A., Renner, K., Forster, G., (2009), Adolescent male rats exposed to social defeat exhibit altered anxiety behaviour and limbic monoamines as adults., Behavioral Neuroscience, iss. 123, pp. 564-576.
  • Watt, M., Forster, G., (2009), Adolescent social defeat alters 3H MK801 binding to NMDA receptors in adult rat brain., Society for Neuroscience Abstracts, iss. 251, p. 20.
  • Lukkes, J., Mokin, M., Scholl, J., Forster, G., (2009), Adult rats exposed to early life social isolation exhibit increased anxiety and conditioned fear behavior, and altered hormonal stress responses., Hormones and Behavior, iss. 55, pp. 248-256.
  • Forster, G., (2009), Chronic amphetamine treatment increases anxiety behavior and decreases monoamines and neurogenesis in the hiippocampus., International Behavioral Neuroscience Society Annual Meeting, iss. 3.
  • , Watt, M., , Forster, G., (2009), Consequences of post-weaning social isolation on behavior and monoaminergic activity in anxiety-related neurla circuits in rats., Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, iss. 3, pp. 1-12.
  • Carpenter, R., Korzan, W., Bockholt, C., Watt, M., Forster, G., (2009), Corticotropin-releasing factor influences aggression and monoamines; modulation of attacks and retreats., Neuroscience, iss. 158, pp. 412-425.
  • Lukkes, J., Summer, C., Scholl, J., Renner, K., Forster, G., (2009), Early life social isolation alters corticotropin-releasing factor responses in adult rats., Neuroscience, iss. 158, pp. 845-855.
  • Watt, M., Forster, G., (2009), Increased amphetamine conditioned place preference in adulthood following adolescent social defeat is associated with altered D2 dopamine receptors., Society for Neuroscience Abstracts, iss. 650, p. 19.
  • , , Watt, M., Renner, K., Forster, G., (2009), Individual differences in amphetamine sensitization, behaviour and central monoamines., Physiology and Behavior, iss. 96, pp. 493-504.
  • Feng, N., Telefont, M., Kelly, K., Orchinik, M., Forster, G., (2009), Local perfusion of corticosterone in a rat medial hypothalamus potentiates D-fenfluramine-induced elevations of extracellular 5-HT concentrations., Hormones and Behaviour, iss. 56, pp. 149-157.
  • Watt, M., Forster, G., (2009), Long-lasting consequences of cortical D2 dopamine receptor activation during adolescence., Society for Neuroscience Abstracts, iss. 573, p. 26.
  • Feng, N., Lowry, C. A., Lukkes, J. L., Orchinik, M., Forster, G., Renner, K., (2009), Organic cation transporter block decynium 22 increases extracellular serotonin concentrations in the rat medial hypothalamus under basal and stress conditions., Society for Neuroscience Abstracts, iss. 134, p. 5.
  • Waller, S., Forster, G., (2009), Overiview of tobacco cessation., South Dakota Journal of Medicine, iss. Secial Issue, pp. 51-56.
  • Forster, G., (2009), Reversal of anxiety behavior during amphetamine withdrawal by antagonism of corticotropin-releasing factor 2 receptors in the dorsal raphe nucleus., Society for Neuroscience Abstracts, iss. 66, p. 15.
  • , Forster, G., Watt, M., , (2009), Social status differentiates rapid neuroendocrine responses to restraint stress, Physiology and Behavior, iss. 96, pp. 218-232.
  • , Forster, G., (2009), Corticotropin-releasing factor 2 receptors as a novel therapeutic target for reducing anxiety states?, NIDA Axelrod Poster Session Proceedings, iss. 11.
  • , Forster, G., (2009), Corticotropin-releasing factor receptor antagonism within the dorsal raphe reduces social anxiety following early-life social isolation., Journal of Neuroscience, iss. 29, pp. 9955-9960.
  • Feng, N., Telefont, M., Kelly, K., Orchinik, M., Forster, G., Renner, K., Lowry, C. A., (2009), Local perfusion of corticosterone in the rat medial hypothalamus potentiates D-fenfluramine-induced elevations of extracellular 5-HT concentrations, Hormones and Behavior, vol. 56, pp. 149-157.
  • Ling, T. J., Watt, M., Forster, G., Korzan, W. J., Renner, K., Summers, C., (2009), Social status differentiates rapid neuroendocrine responses to restraint stress, Physiology and Behavior, vol. 96, pp. 218-232.
  • Carpenter, R. E., Korzan, W. J., Bockholt, C., Watt, M., Forster, G., Renner, K., Summers, C., (2009), Corticotropin releasing factor influences aggression and monoamines:, Neuroscience, vol. 158, pp. 412-425.
  • Forster, G., Pringle, R. B., Mouw, N. J., Vuong, S. M., Watt, M., Burke, A. R., Lowry, C. A., Summers, C., Renner, K., (2008), Corticotrophin-releasing factor in the dorsal raphe increases medial prefrontal cortical serotonin via type 2 receptors and median raphé activity, European Journal of Neuroscience, vol. 28, pp. 299-310.
  • Carpenter, R. E., Watt, M., Forster, G., Øverli, Ø., Bockholt, C., Renner, K., Summers, C., (2007), Corticotropin releasing factor induces anxiogenic locomotion in trout and alters serotonergic and dopaminergic activity, Hormones and Behavior, vol. 52, pp. 600-611.
  • Korzan, W. J., Höglund, E., Watt, M., Forster, G., Øverli, Ø., Lukkes, J. L., Summers, C., (2007), Memory of opponents is more potent than visual sign stimuli after social hierarchy has been established, Behavioural Brain Research, vol. 183, pp. 31-42.
  • Watt, M., Forster, G., Korzan, W. J., Renner, K., Summers, C., (2007), Rapid neuroendocrine responses evoked at the onset of social challenge, Physiology and Behavior, vol. 90, pp. 567-575.
  • Forster, G., Feng, N., Watt, M., Korzan, W. J., Mouw, N. J., Summers, C., Renner, K., (2006), Corticotropin-releasing factor in the dorsal raphe elicits temporally distinct serotonergic responses in the limbic system , Neuroscience , vol. 141, pp. 1047-1055.
  • Waters, R. P., Emerson, A. J., Watt, M., Forster, G., Swallow, J., Summers, C., (2005), Stress induces rapid changes in central catecholaminergic activity in Anolis carolinensis: Restraint and forced physical activity. , Brain Research Bulletin, vol. 67, pp. 210-218.
Awards and Honors:
  • Axelrod Travel Award, National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) , 2009
  • SD Young Investigator, EPSCoR/IDeA, 2009
  • USD President’s Award for Research Excellence , University of South Dakota , 2009
  • Faculty Travel Award, University of South Dakota Research Office , 2005
  • Travel Award, Society for Integrative Biology, 2003
  • Neurochemistry Research Award , Australian Neuroscience Society , 2001
  • Student Award, Australian Neuroscience Society , 1999
  • Student Award, New Zealand Neurological Foundation , 1998
  • T.P.H. McKellar Award for first place, Honors I, Psychology, University of Otago, 1997
  • Division of Sciences Award , University of Otago , 1996
Presentations:
  • Davies, D., Meyer, D., Barr, J., Manzerra, P., Forster, G. (2012). Effects of mild traumatic brain injury on limbic system and anxiety states. Presented at the School of Health Sciences Research Conference.
  • Olson, D., Baugh, L. A., Gaher, R., Simons, J., Magnotta, V., Forster, G. (2012). Neural Imaging: The Effects of Alcohol Use on Emotional Processing in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).. Presented at the School of Health Sciences Research Conference.
  • Scholl, J., Reinbold, E., Oliver, K., Watt, M., Forster, G. (2012). Reducing Anxiety During Amphetamine Withdrawal. Presented at the School of Health Sciences Research Conference, Vermillion.
  • Novick, A., Scholl, J., Roberts, C., Tejani-Butt, S., Hassell, J., Forster, G., Watt, M. (2012, October). Altered prefrontal cortex dopamine transporter expression and function following adolescent social defeat . Presented at the Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting, New Orleans.
  • Scholl, J., Roberts, C., Oliver, K., Forster, G., Watt, M. (2012, October). Increased fear conditioning and raphe CRF-2 receptor expression following adolescent social defeat. Presented at the Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting, New Orleans.
  • Watt, M., Novick, A., Roberts, C., Meyer, D., Oliver, K., Scholl, J., Barr, J., Renner, K., Forster, G. (2012, October). Mechanisms underlying deficits in prefrontal cortex dopamine activity caused by adolescent social defeat . Presented at the Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting, New Orleans.
  • Li, H., Hassell, J., Scholl, J., Watt, M., Renner, K., Forster, G. (2012, October). Stress-induced increases in extracellular serotonin in the ventral hippocampus are attenuated in rats during amphetamine withdrawal. Presented at the Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting, New Orleans.
  • Olson, D. M., Meyer, D. L., Scholl, J. L., Watt, M., Manzerra, P., Renner, K., Forster, G. (2012, October). Effects of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Psychosocial Stress on Limbic Monoamines and Anxiety-like Behaviors.. Presented at the Society for Neuroscience Meeting, New Orleans, LA.
  • Davies, D., Watt, M., Meyer, D., Scholl, J., Forster, G. (2012, October). Combined Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Psychosocial Stress Mimics Symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in a Rat Model. Presented at the Society for Neuroscience Undergraduate Poster Session, New Orleans.
  • Miiller, L., Scholl, J., Renner, K., Forster, G., Watt, M. (2012, October). Trajectory of alterations to cortical dopamine activity in a model of teenage bullying. Presented at the Society for Neuroscience Undergraduate Poster Session, New Orleans.
  • Scholl, J., Reinbold, E., Oliver, K., Watt, M., Forster, G. (2012, June). CRF2 Receptors Mediate Anxiety States During Amphetamine Withdrawal. Presented at the International Behavioral Neuroscience Society Annual Meeting, Hawaii.
  • Davies, D., Meyer, D., Barr, J., Manzerra, P., Forster, G. (2012, May). Effects of mild traumatic brain injury on limbic system and anxiety states. Presented at the Sanford-USD Research Symposium, Vermillion.
  • Olson, D., Baugh, L. A., Gaher, R., Simons, J., Magnotta, V., Forster, G. (2012, May). Neural Imaging: The Effects of Alcohol Use on Emotional Processing in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).. Presented at the Sanford-USD Research Symposium, Vermillion.
  • Scholl, J., Reinbold, E., Oliver, K., Watt, M., Forster, G. (2012, May). Reducing Anxiety During Amphetamine Withdrawal. Presented at the Sanford-USD Research Symposium, Vermillion.
  • Novick, A. M., Miiller, L. C., Forster, G., Watt, M. (2012, May). Effects of adolescent social defeat on adult working memory. Presented at the Sanford Health - USD Biomedical Research Symposium, Vermillion, SD.
  • Li, H., Hassell, J. E., Barr, J. L., Scholl, J. L., Watt, M., Forster, G., Renner, K. (2012, April). Stress-induced increases in extracellular serotonin in the ventral hippocampus is attenuated in rats during amphetamine withdrawal. Presented at the South Dakota Academy of Science, Vermillion, SD.
  • Forster, G. (2011). Central CRF2 receptor antagonism reduces anxiety states during amphetamine withdrawal. Presented at the Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting, Washington DC.
  • Forster, G. (2010). Neuropeptide modulation of serotonin and anxiety states.. Presented at the Dept of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brookings, SD USA.
  • Forster, G. (2010). CRF receptors in the dorsal raphe nucleus mediate anxiety states induced by post-weaning social isolation. . Presented at the International Society for Behavioral Neuroscience .
  • Forster, G. (2010). Automated measures of conditioned fear behavior in the rat. Presented at the Noldus Measuring Behavior Workshop, San Diego, CA.
  • Forster, G. (2010). Neuropeptide modulation of serotonin and anxiety states.. Presented at the Sanford Research Day, Vermillion, SD.
  • Forster, G. (2010). Anxiety states induced by post-weaning social isolation are mediated by CRF receptors in the dorsal raphe nucleus.. Presented at the Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA.
  • Forster, G. (2009). various presentations. Presented at the Neuroscience Journal Club, University of South Dakota.
  • Forster, G. (2009, November). Corticotropin-releasing factor 2 receptors as a novel therapeutic target for reducing anxiety states?. Presented at the Axelrod Neuropharmacology Symposium, Chicago, IL.
  • Forster, G. (2009, November). Reversal of anxiety behavior during amphetamine withdrawal by antagonism of corticotropin-releasing factor 2 receptors in the dorsal raphe nucleus.. Presented at the Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL USA.
  • Forster, G. (2009, September). Neuropeptides, Serotonin and Anxiety. Presented at the Biology Department Speaker, Spearfish, SD USA.