Luke Remage-Healey
Professor
Center and Institute Affilitation:
Education
PhD, 2006, Cornell University
Research
Our lab is focused on the study of behavioral physiology, specifically the nonclassical regulation of brain function and behavior by steroid hormones. Steroids are produced within discrete neural circuits (neurosteroids) and can therefore influence behavior via local and acute actions within those circuits. We study these phenomena in songbirds using a variety of technical approaches including in vivo microdialysis, electrophysiology, immunocytochemistry, and neuropharmacology. Songbirds offer a unique model system in which brain steroid production is widespread and especially pronounced, and in which the development and expression of a suite of social behaviors is accessible in the laboratory and natural environments.
Publications
Pawlisch B.A., and Remage-Healey, L. (2015) Neuroestrogen signaling in the songbird auditory cortex propagates into a sensorimotor network via an ‘interface’ nucleus. Neuroscience 284:522-35
Chao A.*, Paon, A.P.*, Remage-Healey, L. (2015) Dynamic variation in forebrain estradiol levels during song learning. Developmental Neurobiology 75(3):271-86
Ikeda, M., Rensel MA, Schlinger BA, and Remage-Healey L. (2014) In vivo detection of fluctuating brain steroid levels. Cold Spring Harbor Protocols. (12):1267-72
Remage-Healey, L. and Joshi, N.R.* (2012) Changing Neuroestrogens Within the Auditory Forebrain Rapidly Transform Stimulus Selectivity in a Downstream Sensorimotor Nucleus. Journal of Neuroscience, 32(24):8231-8241.
Remage-Healey, L., Dong, S.M.*, Chao, A., Schlinger, B.A. (2012) Sex-specific, rapid neuroestrogen fluctuations and neurophysiological actions in the songbird auditory forebrain. Journal of Neurophysiology 107(6):1621-31.
Remage-Healey, L. and Joshi, N.R.* (2012) Changing Neuroestrogens Within the Auditory Forebrain Rapidly Transform Stimulus Selectivity in a Downstream Sensorimotor Nucleus. Journal of Neuroscience, 32(24):8231-8241.
Remage-Healey, L., Dong, S.M.*, Chao, A., Schlinger, B.A. (2012) Sex-specific, rapid neuroestrogen fluctuations and neurophysiological actions in the songbird auditory forebrain. Journal of Neurophysiology 107(6):1621-31.
Remage-Healey, L., Maidment, N.T., Dong, S.M.*, and Schlinger, B.A. (2011) Presynaptic control of rapid estrogen fluctuations in the songbird auditory forebrain. Journal of Neuroscience 31(27):10034-8.
Remage-Healey, L., Coleman, M.E., Oyama, R.K.*, and Schlinger B.A. (2010) Brain estrogens rapidly strengthen auditory encoding and guide song preference in a songbird. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 107(8):3852-7
Remage-Healey, L., Maidment N.T., and Schlinger B.A. (2008) Forebrain steroid levels fluctuate rapidly during social interactions. Nature Neurosci. 11(11):1327-1334
Remage-Healey, L. and Bass A.H. (2007) Plasticity in brain sexuality is revealed by the rapid actions of steroid hormones. J Neurosci. 27(5):1114-1122