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Presence Current · Arkansas
Last published 2026
Sources OpenAlex · ORCID
Refreshed 2026-08-20

Steven W. Barger

Federal Grant PI High Impact

Professor

Also affiliated: United States Department of Veterans Affairs (2006); University of Kentucky (1993–1996); University of Colorado Boulder (1998); Vanderbilt University (1989–1992); British Geriatrics Society (1998); University of Arkansas Medical Center (1997–2023); University of Colorado System (1998); Stephens College (2007); Arkansas Cardiology (2002–2006); Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System (1999–2026); Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (1997–2026); Institute on Aging (2013–2017); National Institute on Aging (1996); John L. McClellan Memorial Veterans Hospital (1997–1999); Reynolds American (United States) (2017); Arkansas Department of Agriculture (2020); University of Toledo (2014)

Faculty Researcher

50 h-index 141 pubs 10,363 cited

  • Animals
  • Humans
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Rats
  • Neurons
  • Alzheimer Disease
  • Mice
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Glutamic Acid
  • Calcium
  • Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor
  • Microglia
  • Brain
  • NF-kappa B
  • Male

Biography and Research Information

OverviewAI-generated summary

Steven W. Barger's research program focuses on the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer's disease. His work investigates the role of cellular processes such as autophagy and lysosomal function, as well as metabolic pathways like glucose transport and glutamate regulation, in disease pathogenesis. Barger has received federal funding from the NIH/National Institute on Aging for projects examining the role of glucose transport in Alzheimer's disease and the compromised function of a glial glucose transporter in aging and Alzheimer's disease, totaling over $750,000.

His laboratory group has published research exploring therapeutic strategies, including the development of small molecules to rescue autophagic failure and inhibitors of system xC− transport to reduce microglial glutamate release and neurotoxicity. Other studies have investigated the potential of liraglutide to counteract endoplasmic reticulum stress in neurons and examined the association of P-glycoprotein substrates with Alzheimer's disease risk. Barger's work also extends to exploring how specific protein fragments, such as the central repeat fragment of reelin, can impact neuronal signaling and cognitive function.

With an h-index of 50 and over 10,000 citations across 142 publications, Barger is recognized as a highly cited researcher. He collaborates with researchers at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. His lab maintains an active website and leads a research group dedicated to advancing the understanding and treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.

Metrics

  • h-index: 50
  • Publications: 141
  • Citations: 10,363

Selected Publications

  • Insulin Growth Factor 1 affects glutamate receptor activity differently in primary cultures of neocortical versus hippocampal neurons (2026)
    bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) DOI OpenAlex
  • Impact of P-glycoprotein substrates on transendothelial transport of amyloid-β peptide in an in vitro model (2026)
    Neuroscience DOI OpenAlex
  • Modulation of apolipoprotein E receptor-2 by ApoE4, amyloid β-peptide, reelin, and secreted amyloid precursor protein: a common point of impact in Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis (2026)
    Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience DOI OpenAlex
  • Microglial serine racemase knockout alleviates Alzheimer-like neuropathology and behavioral deficit via lactylation-mediated anti-inflammation (2026)
    Communications Biology DOI OpenAlex
  • Impact of P-Glycoprotein Substrates on Transendothelial Transport of Amyloid-β Peptide (2025)
    SSRN Electronic Journal DOI OpenAlex
  • Prescription-based association of P-glycoprotein substrates with Alzheimer's disease risk: A nested case-control study (2025)
    Journal of Alzheimer s Disease 2 citations DOI OpenAlex
  • P-glycoprotein and Alzheimer’s Disease: Threats and Opportunities (2025)
    ASN NEURO 4 citations DOI OpenAlex
  • Rescue of ApoE4-related lysosomal autophagic failure in Alzheimer’s disease by targeted small molecules (2024)
    Communications Biology 21 citations DOI OpenAlex
  • Design, synthesis, and characterization of novel system xC− transport inhibitors: inhibition of microglial glutamate release and neurotoxicity (2023)
    Journal of Neuroinflammation 6 citations DOI OpenAlex
  • Thiadiazolidinone (TDZD) Analogs Inhibit Aggregation-Mediated Pathology in Diverse Neurodegeneration Models, and Extend C. elegans Life- and Healthspan (2023)
    Pharmaceuticals 14 citations DOI OpenAlex
  • Central repeat fragment of reelin leads to active reelin intracellular signaling and rescues cognitive deficits in a mouse model of reelin deficiency (2023)
    Cellular Signalling 6 citations DOI OpenAlex
  • Design, synthesis, and characterization of novel Xc- transport inhibitors: Inhibition of microglial glutamate release and neurotoxicity (2023)
    Research Square 1 citation DOI OpenAlex
  • Amyloid β-Peptide Effects on Glucose Regulation Are Dependent on Apolipoprotein E Genotype (2023)
    eNeuro 2 citations DOI OpenAlex
  • Liraglutide Counteracts Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Palmitate-Treated Hypothalamic Neurons without Restoring Mitochondrial Homeostasis (2022)
    International Journal of Molecular Sciences 6 citations DOI OpenAlex
  • Glucose transport in the regulation of T-cell activation: the journey may be as important as the destination (2022)
    Immunometabolism DOI OpenAlex

View all publications on OpenAlex →

Federal Grants 2 $754,900 total

NIH Contact PI Apr 2023 - Mar 2028

Role of glucose transport in Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis

National Institute on Aging $382,500 R01
NIH Contact PI Apr 2021 - Dec 2026

Compromised function of a glial glucose transporter in aging and Alzheimer's disease

National Institute on Aging $372,400 R01

Grants & Funding

As listed on this researcher's institutional profile. Federal awards with verified records are shown above.

  • Molecular aspects of endocrine and metabolic dysregulation in neurodegeneration NIH/NIA
  • Neuroscience Research Center Core Facility at UAMS NIH
  • Secreted Alzheimer amyloid precursor protein (sAPP) antagonizes Reelin receptors NIH
  • CYCLIC GMP AND KB-DEPENDENT TRANSCRIPTION IN NEURONS NIH
  • TO ESTABLISH UAMS ACCOUNT FOR SALARY SUPPORT OF XIANRONG MAO. INVOICE U OF A FOUNDATION OFFICE University of Arkansas Foundation
  • Destablization of LRP family receptors by Alzheimer-related presenilin mutations NIH
  • PPG Core C: Molecular Analysis NIH/NIA
  • Inference of Common Pathways Underlying Neurodegeneration & Other Age-Progressive Diseases - Continuation - Continuation NIH/Nat. Inst. on Aging

Collaboration Network

52 Collaborators 12 Institutions 2 Countries

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