9319755 Axelson Vasopressin is a neuropeptide that function as a chemical messenger in the brain. It has been shown to be involved in regulating a number of behaviors, including aggression, reproduction, communication and learning and memory. For example, social recognition memory, or the ability to recognize familiar animals, is thought to be mediated by vasopressin in the lateral septum region of the limbic system. Interestingly, social recognition memory is sexually dimorphic. Females can maintain the ability to recognize familiar members of the species significantly longer than males. Moreover, the vasopressin system in the limbichypothalamic system is also sexually dimorphic. Dr. Axelson is interested in this structure-function relationship. He will tease apart this association with the use of the gonadal steroids at different times during perinatal development. By combining biochemical, neuroanatomical and behavioral techniques, Dr. Axelson and his students will extend what is known about the role of androgen and estrogen in determining the development of functional sex differences by clarifying hormonal mechanisms underlying cellular changes in vasopressin and correlating these changes with altered expression of a sexually dimorphic vasopressin dependent behavior. Moreover, this project will provide resources and research opportunities for a number of excellent undergraduate students and introduce them to the field of hormonal control and development and possible influence their decision to become future researchers. ***
