Lily B
- Research Program Mentor
MS Master of Science
Expertise
Neuroendocrinology, Neuroscience, Reward and Motivation, Learning and Memory, Drugs, Psychopharmacolgy, Sex differences, Psychopathology, Development, Evolution
Project ideas
Neurological Sex and the impact of hormone replacement methodologies on our current understanding of sex-specific behaviors
There is an established connection between sex hormones and the development of sex-specific behavioral responses, but research methodologies manipulating these hormones are inconsistent and often lack species-specific justification. The objective of this project is to further understand behavioral neuroscience methodologies and shed light on the inconsistent treatment of female sex hormone replacement. In this meta-analysis, data regarding hormone replacement in common rodent models will be gathered, analyzed, and compared with current knowledge of species-dependent hormone levels. This paper will dissect what is known about the role of sex hormones on brain activity and the resulting changes in behavior to make an argument for leaving animal models intact or using hormone concentrations specific to the model species.