Celia Moore - US grants

This research will explore the possibility that afferent input to developing brain regions provided by the natural environment during neonatal periods contributes to neuroanatomical development. It is particularly interesting that some stimulation is provided unevenly to developing males and females. In rats, maternal stimulation associated with licking the pups is sexually biased, with males typically receiving more stimulation than females. In this study, maternal stimulation will be experimentally reduced and effects on selected sexually dimorphic structures within the spinal cord and brain of adults will be examined. Measures will include number and size of motor neurons in two spinal nuclei, volume and neural density of the sexually dimorphic nucleus of the preoptic area (POA), dendritic structure of Golgi-stained neurons in POA, and ultrastructural measurements of axonal number and size in the posterior fifth of the corpus callosum. Interactive activities include guest lectures to be given in several different undergraduate psychology courses, research seminars and discussions of research material in both structural and informal settings. This project furthers VPW program objectives which are (1) to provide opportunities for women to advance their careers in engineering and in the disciplines of science supported by NSF and (2) to encourage women to pursue careers in science and engineering by providing greater visibility for women scientists and engineers employed in industry, government, and academic institutions. By encouraging the participation of women in science, it is a valuable investment in the Nation's future scientific vitality.

Many of the processes that shape the development of the nervous system and behavior occur during the early neonatal period. Dr. Moore has shown that perineal stimulation provided by mothers to their developing offspring during the course of a specific maternal behavioral pattern, has long-term consequences on their adult behavior. She has also shown that this maternal stimulation also produces changes in the central nervous system. Using an exciting and highly innovative approach, Dr. Moore will investigate how interactions between environmental stimulation and the hormones produced by the developing young work jointly to produce the enduring changes in the both central nervous system and behavior. She will concentrate on a sexually dimorphic nucleus in the lumbar region of the spinal cord. Using state-of- the-art anatomical techniques, Dr. Moore will investigate the role that cell death plays in regulating the observed differences in neuron number following variations in maternal stimulation. By systematically varying the mother-infant interactions in ways similar to those experienced naturally by the offspring, the effect that early stimulation has on individual differences within males and females, and sex differences can be examined. At present, little is known about the role of sensory input in development of sexual dimorphisms. Her systematic focus on external stimulation and normal sensory input is an excellent opportunity to weave functional, anatomical, and developmental questions togethers in a meaningful and mutually useful way. The outcome is likely to redefine our ideas about the sexual differentiation process than is now currently being accepted.

Moore 9514769 There are marked anatomical differences in the central nervous systems of males and females. It appears that the gonadal hormone environment may play a substantial and integral role in the development of these differences. However, a component of structural differences also appears dependent on external stimuli received during development of the central nervous system. Dr. Moore is investigating the interrelationship of factors involved in developing differences in the central nervous system. The studies involve manipulation of the gonadal hormone mixture and the environmental experiences young animals encounter. The influence of these changes on anatomical characteristics of the nervous system are probed using sophisticated neuroanatomical techniques. These investigations will provide significant information about the factors important for the development of the nervous system. Additionally, information about the role of external environmental factors on the nervous system will also be defined. This information is crucial to understanding the ability of species to survive in the wild and reproduce successfully, and ultimately thrive in their natural habitats.

[unreadable] DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): University of Massachusetts Boston (UMass Boston) and Harvard University School of Public Health (HSPH) have partnered with the Cherishing Our Hearts and Souls Coalition (COHS) of Roxbury (a Boston neighborhood comprised of 51% African Americans and 23% Hispanics) to establish an exploratory Center (P20) for Health and Health Care Disparities that is dedicated to Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR). The Healthy Options, Research, Interventions & Community Organizing Center (HORIZON Center) will: 1) conduct health disparities related research projects in partnership with COHS, 2) offer research training, with an emphasis in CBPR, to faculty, students, and community stakeholders, and 3) build a neighborhood based infrastructure that can partner with academic institutions in Boston to research and implement "best practices" in CBPR and academic-community partnerships. UMass Boston was designated a minority-serving institution by the National Cancer Institute and is the lead partner in the HORIZON Center. The diverse characteristics and strengths reflected in both academic institutions and in the six-year old community coalition (COHS) set the stage for significant changes in cultural norms (public knowledge, attitudes and behaviors) and professional practices surrounding research activities and academic community partnerships. The implications of successfully engaging a diverse urban underserved community in health promotion activities, in research and in advancing the cause of research are nationally significant. We partner to further the research mission of COHS and its Community Research Advisory Board (CRAB). The HORIZON Center has 4 cores, 3 research projects and 6 pilot projects; all designed to strengthen the evidence-based practices and strategies for understanding and training practitioners in health disparities reduction. We propose to increase the number of local agencies, community organizations and residents that contribute to and participate in research, training, health promotion, and community organizing activities. The cores provide an infrastructure and process for the translation of research into innovative community outreach strategies, educational interventions and public policy initiatives. The Administrative Core provides overall support to the HORIZON Center by coordinating the other cores and projects. The Research Core supports the research projects which are investigating the behavioral, social, and biological sciences related to health disparities. The Community Engagement Core is responsible for projects that investigate the best practices for outreach and mobilization in an urban community. The Training Core is responsible for projects that implement and evaluate strategies for increasing the number of people who are trained and engaged in CBPR and from health disparity populations. [unreadable] [unreadable] [unreadable]

RESEARCH CORE The Research Core is co-directed by Deborah Prothrow-Stith, MD, Professor of Public Health Practice in the Department of Health Policy and Management and Associate Dean for Faculty Development at HSPH and Dr. Jane Adams, Professor of Psychology and Associate-chair Psychology Department, UMass Boston. Together they will assume responsibility for the Research Core meeting its specific aims. The mission of the Research Core is to enhance the research capacity and strengthen the infrastructure for health disparities research and community based participatory research within both of our institutions by sharing resources, working collaboratively, and strengthening our connections between the community and our research programs. The Research Core will work to develop synergy between the work of each research project and pilot studies within the HORIZON Center. In addition, meeting the Core's specific aims will require direct work with and support from the additional three cores, Administrative, Research Training and Community Engagement Cores as well as coordination of efforts within and across the HORIZON Center projects.

Research Training Core XIII-A. Specific Aims The mission of the Research Training Core is to support the research activities of the HORIZON Center by fulfilling the training, mentoring and career development objectives. This mission is focused on undergraduate research training, junior faculty development, and minority health and health disparities education. The specific aims of Research Training Core are to: 1) Increase the recruitment of UMass Boston undergraduates from health disparities populations into majors and programs that are more likely to lead to health disparities research careers. 2) Improve the preparation of UMass Boston undergraduates from health disparities populations for health disparities research careers. 3) Examine the effectiveness of methods used to recruit, retain, and prepare undergraduates from health disparities populations for careers in health disparities fields. 4) Create greater training capacity for health disparities research. 5) Increase the CBPR capacity of community partners by involving the Community Research Advisory Board (CRAB) in research training activities. We will build on the existing training programs in our institutions and link them with community partnerships to increase capacity for research on health disparities within a CBPR framework. We will provide ongoing training in research to our faculty, students and communities, and support the existing infrastructure for community participation in setting the future research agenda. The ultimate goals are (1) to increase the number of scientists from health disparities populations engaged in effective research that will eliminate health disparities and (2) to build community capacity to eliminate the mystery surrounding research and facilitate capacity for CBPR. The Research Training Core is responsible for improving the career development activities of junior faculty and students interested in health disparities research. The core's activities include implementing and assessing a program of academic enrichment and mentored research participation for undergraduates from health disparity populations (African-American and Hispanic students matriculated at UMass Boston), and training community residents and leaders on health disparity issues.