A5016927521- Epigenetics and DNA Methylation
- Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
- Birth, Development, and Health
- Stress Responses and Cortisol
- Genetics and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
- Early Childhood Education and Development
- Child Abuse and Trauma
- Prenatal Substance Exposure Effects
- Olfactory and Sensory Function Studies
- Child Welfare and Adoption
- Memory and Neural Mechanisms
- Neurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanisms
- Family Support in Illness
- Circadian rhythm and melatonin
- Neonatal and fetal brain pathology
- Identity, Memory, and Therapy
- Cognitive Abilities and Testing
- Psychology of Development and Education
- Family and Disability Support Research
- Anesthesia and Neurotoxicity Research
- Genetics, Aging, and Longevity in Model Organisms
- Genetic Syndromes and Imprinting
- Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
- Diet and metabolism studies
University of Delaware
2016-2025
Florida International University
2020-2021
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
2018-2019
University of Connecticut
2019
University of Alabama at Birmingham
2008-2015
University of Oklahoma
2001-2010
The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
2009
Baylor College of Medicine
2006
Long-term memory formation requires selective changes in gene expression. Here, we determined the contribution of chromatin remodeling to learning-induced brain-derived neurotrophic factor ( bdnf ) expression adult hippocampus. Contextual fear learning induced differential regulation exon-specific mRNAs (I, IV, VI, IX) that was associated with DNA methylation and altered local structure. Infusions zebularine (a methyltransferase inhibitor) significantly triggered mRNA levels, indicating is...
DNA (cytosine-5) methylation represents one of the most widely used mechanisms enduring cellular memory. Stable patterns are established during development, resulting in creation persisting phenotypes. There is growing evidence that nervous system has co-opted a number development to subserve formation long term In this study, we examined role methyltransferase (DNMT) activity might play regulating induction synaptic plasticity. We found within promoters for reelin and brain-derived...
The immediate and long-term effects of exposure to early life stress (ELS) have been documented in humans animal models. Even relatively brief periods during the first 10 days rodents can impact later behavioral regulation vulnerability develop adult pathologies, particular an impairment cognitive functions neurogenesis, but also modified social, emotional, conditioned fear responses. development preclinical models ELS allows examination mechanisms testing therapeutic approaches that are not...
Early-life stress, such as maltreatment, institutionalization, and exposure to violence, is associated with accelerated telomere shortening. Telomere shortening may thus represent a biomarker of early adversity. Previous studies have suggested that responsive parenting protect children from the negative biological behavioral consequences This study examined role parental responsiveness in buffering following experiences early-life stress. We found high-risk had significantly shorter...
Quality of maternal care in infancy is an important contributing factor the development behavior and psychopathology. One way could affect behavioral trajectories through environmentally induced epigenetic alterations within brain regions known to play prominent roles cognition, emotion regulation, stress responsivity. Whereas such research has largely focused on hippocampus or hypothalamus, prefrontal cortex (PFC) only just begun receive attention. The current study was designed determine...
Abstract In many altricial species, fear responses such as freezing do not emerge until sometime later in development. infant rats, to natural predator odors emerges around postnatal day (PN) 10 when rats begin walking. The behavioral emergence of is correlated with two physiological events: functional the amygdala and increasing corticosterone (CORT) levels. Here, we hypothesize that levels influence activity permit expression. We assessed relationship between expression (immobility similar...
ABSTRACT We have previously shown in infant rats that brief and repeated experiences with a stressed dam outside the homecage (maltreatment) alters methylation of DNA associated brain‐derived neurotrophic factor ( bdnf ) gene within developing adult prefrontal cortex. BDNF is key mediator activity‐dependent processes profound influence on neural development plasticity. Here we examined whether maltreatment also two additional regions known to be prominently affected by diverse forms early...
Abstract Quality of maternal care experienced during infancy is a key factor that can confer vulnerability or resilience to psychiatric disorders later in life. Research continues indicate early‐life experiences affect developmental trajectories through epigenetic alterations capable affecting gene regulation and neural plasticity. Previously, our lab has shown within an adverse caregiving environment (i.e. maltreatment) produce aberrant DNA methylation patterns at various loci the medial...
ABSTRACT Aged animals show functional alterations in hippocampal neurons that lead to deficits synaptic plasticity and changes cognitive function. Transcription of immediate‐early genes (IEGs), including Egr 1, is necessary for processes such as long‐term potentiation memory consolidation. Here, we an age‐related reduction the transcription 1 dentate gyrus following spatial behavior, whereas area CA1, reduced at rest, but its can be effectively driven by behavior levels equivalent those...