Walsh's research career focuses on understanding how synapses in the basal ganglia, and in particular, corticostriatal synapses are modified by use or experience and how these use-dependent changes in synapses strength translate into behavior. A particular focus has been the role played by dopamine in guiding "plasticity" at corticostriatal synapses and how pathology in dopamine function in disease impacts the ability of the basal ganglia to process information. Walsh is also a dedicated surfer and was interviewed on the brain chemistry and biological advantages of UFC fighter Randy Couture on the ESPN2 special The Body Issue in 2010.
Honors and awards
Honors: USC Associates Award for Excellence in Teaching - 2013 Awards: Walsh has also won several awards for his technology-based innovations for science education, including the USC Provost Prize for Teaching with Technology in 2008 as well as earning a $149,891 grant by the National Science Foundation to create an online learning tool. and Walsh won a $199,076 grant by the National Science Foundation for their Transforming Undergraduate Education in Science Program to supervise the development of the online multimedia teaching-tool
Publications
Petzinger GM, Fisher BE, McEwen S, Beeler JA, Walsh JP, Jakowec MW. Exercise-enhanced neuroplasticity targeting motor and cognitive circuitry in Parkinson’s disease. Lancet 12:716-726, 2013. Sancheti H, Akopian G, Yin F, Brinton RD, Walsh JP, Cadenas E. Age-dependent modulation of synaptic plasticity and insulin mimetic effect of lipoic acid on a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease. PLoS ONE 2013 Jul 17;8:e69830. Kintz N, Petzinger G, Akopian G, Ptasnik S, Williams C, Jakowec M, Walsh J. Exercise modifies á-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic-acid receptor expression in striatopallidal neurons in the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine--Lesioned Mouse. J Nsci Res, 91:1492-1507, 2013. Davis D, Akopian G, Walsh JP, Sioutus C, Morgan TE, Finch CE. Urban air pollutants reduce synaptic function of CA1 neurons via an NMDA/NȮ pathway in vitro. J Neurochem, 127:509-519, 2013, Toy WA, Petzinger GM, Leyshon BJ, Akopian GK, Walsh JP, Hoffman MV, Vuckovic MG, Jakowec MW. Treadmill exercise reverses dendritic spine loss in direct and indirect striatal medium spiny neurons in the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine mouse model of Parkinson's disease. Neurobiol Dis 63: 201–209, 2014, Liu Z, Patil IY, Jiang T, Sancheti H, Walsh JP, Stiles BL, Yin F, Cadenas E. High-Fat Diet Induces Hepatic Insulin Resistance and Impairment of Synaptic Plasticity. PLoS One. 2015 May 29;10:e0128274. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0128274. eCollection 2015.
