Research Projects

The long-term goals of my laboratory are to understand the cellular basis for behavioral changes associated with anabolic androgenic steroid (AAS) use. Our studies are focused on determining how the AAS regulate the expression and function of γ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABA_A) neurotransmitter receptors in regions of the mammalian forebrain that are crucial for the expression of aggression, anxiety and reproductive behaviors. To this end, we use a number of different wild type, transgenic and mutant mouse strains for electrophysiological, biochemical and morphological assays. To study aspects of synaptic function, we employ patch clamp recording from brain slices and isolated primary neurons, as well as recordings

from heterologous cells expressing different isoforms of wild type and mutant GABA_A receptor subunits. We also employ piezoelectric-controlled ultrafast perfusion techniques and computer modeling to study how these drugs alter transitions of the receptors among different kinetic states. To examine how steroid influence neuronal morphology, gene and protein expression, we employ a range of techniques including single-cell real time RT-PCR, confocal immunohistochemistry, and Western blot analysis. In addition, our lab has a long-standing collaboration with Dr. Ann Clark in the Department of Psychology and Brain Science studying the effects of AAS on behavior, including offensive aggression, anxiety and sexual behaviors.