Expertise

Areas of Study:

  • Neuroscience

Research Topics:

  • Hormonal control of neural development
  • Sex differences in neural structure
  • Neural plasticity
  • Neuroprotective/therapeutic effects of hormones

Dr. Sengelaub studies the processes that regulate the structure of both the developing and adult nervous system, with particular emphasis on structure / behavior relationships. Using a variety of species, neural systems, and anatomical techniques, he addresses the factors that determine neuron number, distribution, morphology, and connectivity in the brain and spinal cord. Processes such as dendritic growth and retraction, and the maintenance of adult neuron morphology after nerve injury or spinal damage are of primary interest. His current projects include ontogeny and hormonal control of sex differences in the nervous system and the therapeutic use of steroid hormones after injury in adulthood.

Research:

  • Neuroprotective effects of gonadal steroids in models of spinal motoneuron injury
  • Central consequences of peripheral nerve repair
  • Development and plasticity of hormone-sensitive motoneurons

Research Interests:

  • development of the nervous system; plasticity of neural structure and function

Research Interests

  • development of the nervous system; plasticity of neural structure and function

Subject Areas

  • Psychological and Brain Sciences
  • Biology
Communities
Biological Science, Animal Science, Neuroscience, Psychology
Degrees
PhD, Cornell University, Psychology, 1983
BA, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Psychology, 1978
Keywords
psychology brain nervous system electrophysiology neurophysiology spinal cord injury spinal cord diseases hormones & endocrinology geriatrics & gerontology neuroanatomy synaptic transmission neurogenesis