Research: Biopsychology, neuroendocrine and neurochemical basis of birdsong learning and production, behavioral neuroendocrinology, neuroethology

We are interested in the interrelation of hormones, brain, and behavior. We study a variety of avian species that exhibit high degrees of neuroplasticity in response to hormone treatment. These studies are designed to investigate both how hormones act in the brain to affect the learning and activation of behavior and how behavioral and other stimuli are processed by the brain to influence reproductive endocrine activity and the timing of seasonal reproduction. Current research activities include: (1) studies addressing how the neuroendocrine system integrates cues that regulate seasonal reproduction including photoperiod and supplementary factors that augment the photo-induction of gonadal growth, such as the perception of conspecific vocalizations; (2) investigations of seasonal brain changes and neural sex differences mediating bird song learning and production; (3) studies of the interaction between dopamine and the steroid metabolizing enzyme, aromatase, in relation to the activation of male reproduction behavior in quail.

Students in the laboratory have the opportunity to learn methods and techniques relevant to behavioral neuroendocrinology such as receptor autoradiography, immunohistochemistry, neural tract tracing, small animal surgery, hormone administration and measurement techniques, and behavioral testing methods.

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230 Ames Hall
Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences
Johns Hopkins University
3400 North Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21218
Phone: 410-516-7910
Fax: 410-516-4478