GOALS


The Laboratory of Functional Endocrinology is focused on answering multidiscipline questions in various areas of physiology. The most current interest is the teratogenic effects of gestational caffeine consumption with regard to the stress axis. Behavioral studies as well as ELISA and gene expression studies are being used to determine how various doses of caffeine alter the function and structure of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Additional ongoing research focuses on cognition and aging, also utilizing behavioral, ELISA, and gene expression studies. The aim of this research is to follow-up on previous findings that mice lacking growth hormone receptor function experience increased longevity and delayed cognitive and physical aging compared to their normal siblings.