Material below summarizes the article Chemogenetic Suppression of GnRH Neurons during Pubertal Development Can Alter Adult GnRH Neuron Firing Rate and Reproductive Parameters in Female Mice, published on June 8, 2020, in eNeuro and authored by Eden A. Dulka, R. Anthony DeFazio, and Suzanne M. Moenter. Highlights Chemogenetic manipulation of Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neuron firing rate results in the expected changes in GnRH neuron firing and pituitary hormone release. Suppressing prepubertal GnRH neuron activity leads to increased adult GnRH neuron firing rate and days in diestrus. Activating prepubertal GnRH neuron activity had no effect on adult firing rate and did not rescue adult reproductive phenotypes in mice exposed to androgens before birth. Study Question Do changes in prepubertal GnRH neuron activity help establish the adult GnRH neuronal network and adult reproductive function? Can correcting altered prepubertal GnRH neuron firing in a mouse model of reproductive dysfunction ameliorate disruptions in adult reproductive function and GnRH neuron firing?

Participating in outreach activities is vital for all scientists.

As the year ends but uncertainty continues, take time to reflect on your career and where you are headed in 2021. Whether you are looking for career advice or have some time during an academic break, Neuronline has resources to help accomplish your goals no matter your work environment.

High-level spinal cord injury (SCI) often reduces neural regulation of cardiovascular function. During the chronic phase, humoral regulation via the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is enhanced to compensatorily maintaining blood pressure. It was recently shown that transplanting early-stage neurons into the injured cord mitigates cardiovascular disorders. However, the mechanisms underlying this recovery remain largely unknown. Here, we employed various pharmacological interventions to elucidate whether this strategic transplantation affects the imbalance of neuroendocrine regulation of hemodynamics and the role of specific serotonergic and catecholaminergic components. Female rats received a complete crush at the 4th thoracic spinal cord. Embryonic neural progenitor cells harvested from the raphe nuclei (RN-NPCs) or the spinal cord (SC-NPCs) were transplanted into the lesion. Naïve rats or injury alone served as controls. After 8-9 weeks, radio-telemetric recordings demonstrated that both implants decreased...

Applying to graduate school can be an organizational challenge. You have to keep track of various program requirements and deadlines, and also coordinate with your undergraduate institution, recommendation letter writers, and the Educational Testing Service (ETS) to make sure you submit all of your application materials on time.

What does it mean to conduct rigorous science? This video explores the key elements: replicability, experimental design and bias, data analysis protocols, and data management and reporting.

Naomi Lee is an assistant professor in the department of chemistry and biochemistry at Northern Arizona University. Lee’s research focuses on infectious and chronic diseases while using chemistry and biology tools and public health research to inform vaccine design. In this interview, Lee discusses challenges of being a Native American in research, and her goals of improving American Indian and Alaskan Native health through research, STEM education, and mentoring.

Catherine Hartley is an assistant professor of psychology and neural science at New York University (NYU), and a researcher within NYU’s Institute for the Study of Decision-Making. Her research focuses on the neuroscience of learning and decision-making and how these processes change over the course of development.

Daniel Colón-Ramos was born and raised in Puerto Rico and is now the McConnell Duberg Professor of neuroscience and cell biology at Yale School of Medicine. In this interview Daniel shares insights from his journey in science, including the importance of belonging, and community, in STEM careers. Throughout his reflections he provides advice for underrepresented trainees and thoughts on how to achieve equity in STEM.

Daniel Colón-Ramos was born and raised in Puerto Rico and is now the McConnell Duberg Professor of neuroscience and cell biology at Yale School of Medicine. In this interview Daniel shares insights from his journey in science, including the importance of belonging, and community, in STEM careers. Throughout his reflections he provides advice for underrepresented trainees and thoughts on how to achieve equity in STEM.