Research Description:
Untitled Document
Dr. Carruth has a joint appointment in the Neuroscience Institute as well as the Department of Biology
My lab examines the genetic and hormonal factors that lead to sex differences
in brain development. Early in development, male and female brains diverge in
their patterns of growth and differentiation. These differences can be clearly
seen especially in brain regions that control behaviors and functions that differ
between the sexes. Fifty years of research has provided a great deal of experimental
evidence has proven that gonadal hormones, such as testosterone secreted from
the testes, are critical for inducing neuronal sex differences. For example, testosterone
acts on the brain to induce masculine patterns of development leading to the formation
of masculine brain circuits. Yet, in recent years, research has suggested that
not all sex differences in the brain are the direct result of steroid action,
and that other factors need to be examined in order to fully understand sexually
dimorphic neural development. I am interested in examining direct genetic influences
on brain sexual differentiation as well as identifying the mechanisms, possibly
through co-regulatory proteins or molecular chaperones, by which hormones act
in the brain to induce sexual differentiation. My work focuses on model systems
in songbirds (the Australian zebra finch) and mice.
Science education. As a scientist and an educator, I am interested
and in exposing K-12 students to science in general, as well as encouraging them
to develop an interest in neuroscience at a young age. Students can participate
in a series of educational outreach programs that provide a hands-on learning
experience emphasizing the function and importance of the brain. Through group
and individual activities, interactive games, and hands-on exercises, young students
will receive instruction in the basic science of the brain. The programs can address
such topics as "What does the brain do? How do we remember things? What is
the brain made of? Are there sex differences in brains? What happens as your brain
grows? What is good for your brain--What is bad for your brain?" plus many
more. In addition, I have developed two summer professional development workshops
for K-12 teachers to provide them with the tools and information they need to
bring neuroscience into their classrooms. Community public educational activities
focus on family fun and learning at various venues throughout Atlanta. March is
“Brain Awareness Month” and we have designed many hands-on activities
that will be part of a Brain Fair open to the public. Many of these science education
activities are supported by the Center for Behavioral Neuroscience.
Recent Publications:
Zola, S, MK Demetrikopoulos, KJ Frantz, JC Redmond, LG Morris, LL Carruth, EH Chudler, and WE Cameron. 2004. Society for Neuroscience Presence at Science Teacher Meetings. Poster 27.10, Society for Neuroscience, 2004, San Diego, CA.
Zardetto-Smith AM, R Schneider, JD Rose, JC Redmond, K Mu, KJ Frantz, MK Demetrikopoulos, and LL Carruth. 2004. Brains Rule! Neuroscience Expositions: A Model for Improving the Ability of Neuroscience Professionals to Communicate Neuroscience. Poster 26.10, Society for Neuroscience, 2004, San Diego, CA.
Carruth, LL, HK Caldwell, D Parlier, K Zuehlke, and B Sanford. 2004. A Teacher Workshop in Behavioral Neuroscience: Animal Behavior and the Brain. Poster 27.4, Society for Neuroscience, 2004, San Diego, CA.
Redmond, JC, LL Carruth, MK Demetrikopoulos, LG Morris, J Pecore, D Parlier, and KJ Frantz. 2004. Teaching about Gender Differences in Memory and Performance. Poster 28.1, Society for Neuroscience, 2004, San Diego, CA.
Frantz, KJ, JC Redmond, JD Rose, MK Demetrikopoulos, LG Morris, D Gray, A Zardetto-Smith, and LL Carruth. 2004. Undergraduate Activities in K-12 Neuroscience Education. Poster 27.5, Society for Neuroscience, 2004, San Diego, CA.
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