Bales Lab
Long-term developmental studies in prairie voles
Prairie voles are a monogamous species native to the American Midwest. They are becoming a premier biomedical model for conditions that involve social dysfunction (such as autism and other developmental disorders). See the Vole Community website at http://research.yerkes.emory.edu/Young/vole.html.
In our lab, we study the effects of early experience on the adult social behavior and neuroendocrine systems of prairie voles, especially focusing on the hormones oxytocin and vasopressin. We have used a number of early manipulations including developmental exposure to oxytocin; early handling manipulations; and early naturalistic experiences such as alloparenting siblings. We have shown that these manipulations have long-term effects on social behavior including alloparenting and pair-bonding, as well as oxytocin and vasopressin systems.
More recently, in collaboration with Dr. Leah Krubitzer, we have also been examining the effects of early experience on development of the somatosensory cortex in prairie voles. Social deficits and sensory dysfunction are often comorbid in developmental disorders; our goal is to increase our understanding of how early experience contributes to their co-development .
This material is based upon work supported by the National Institutes of Health grant HD060117 to Karen L. Bales and Leah Krubitzer, and by completed grant MH073022 to C. Sue Carter and Karen L. Bales.
In our lab, we study the effects of early experience on the adult social behavior and neuroendocrine systems of prairie voles, especially focusing on the hormones oxytocin and vasopressin. We have used a number of early manipulations including developmental exposure to oxytocin; early handling manipulations; and early naturalistic experiences such as alloparenting siblings. We have shown that these manipulations have long-term effects on social behavior including alloparenting and pair-bonding, as well as oxytocin and vasopressin systems.
More recently, in collaboration with Dr. Leah Krubitzer, we have also been examining the effects of early experience on development of the somatosensory cortex in prairie voles. Social deficits and sensory dysfunction are often comorbid in developmental disorders; our goal is to increase our understanding of how early experience contributes to their co-development .
This material is based upon work supported by the National Institutes of Health grant HD060117 to Karen L. Bales and Leah Krubitzer, and by completed grant MH073022 to C. Sue Carter and Karen L. Bales.