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Search Neuroscience

Research Interests:

Our lab investigates brain development under typical and adverse perinatal conditions using high-field 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, histochemistry and immunohistochemistry and molecular analysis. Our goal is to mechanistically link changes in regional neurochemistry and structure with behavioral outcomes in an attempt to devise preventive and therapeutic strategies. Some of the current research projects in our lab are 1) substrate utilization and neuroprotection during hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia and 2) structural and neurochemical effects of recurrent morphine administration during development. The lab also collaborates with the members of Georgieff lab in the investigation of brain development during perinatal iron deficiency.

Selected Publications:

(For a comprehensive list of recent publications, refer to PubMed, a service provided by the National Library of Medicine.)

Raman L, Hamilton KL, Gewirtz JC, Rao R. Effects of chronic hypoxia in developing rats on dendritic morphology of the CA1 subarea of the hippocampus and on fear-potentiated startle. Brain Res. 2007 Nov 28.

Ward KL, Tkac I, Jing Y, Felt B, Beard J, Connor J, Schallert T, Georgieff MK, Rao R. Gestational and lactational iron deficiency alters the developing striatal metabolome and associated behaviors in young rats. J Nutr. 2007 Apr;137(4):1043-9.

Rao R, Tkac I, Townsend EL, Ennis K, Gruetter R, Georgieff MK. Perinatal iron deficiency predisposes the developing rat hippocampus to greater injury from mild to moderate hypoxia-ischemia. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab. 2006 Jul 26.

Raman L, Georgieff MK, Rao R. The role of chronic hypoxia in the development of neurocognitive abnormalities in preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Dev Sci. 2006 Jul;9(4):359-67.

Terpstra M, Tkac I, Rao R, Gruetter R. Quantification of vitamin C in the rat brain in vivo using short echo-time 1H MRS. Magn Reson Med. 2006 May;55(5):979-83.

Raman L, Tkac I, Ennis K, Georgieff MK, Gruetter R, Rao R. In vivo effect of chronic hypoxia on the neurochemical profile of the developing rat hippocampus. Brain Res Dev Brain Res. 2005 May 12;156(2):202-9.

Rao R, Tkac I, Townsend EL, Gruetter R, Georgieff MK. Perinatal iron deficiency alters the neurochemical profile of the developing rat hippocampus. J Nutr. 2003 Oct;133(10):3215-21.

Siddappa AJM, Rao R, Wobken JD, Casperson K, Leibold EA, Connor JR, Georgieff MK. Iron deficiency alters iron regulatory protein and iron transport protein expression in the perinatal rat brain. Pediatr Res 57: 800-807, 2003.

Tkac I, Rao R, Georgieff MK, Gruetter R. Developmental and regional changes in the neurochemical profile of the rat brain determined by in vivo 1H NMR spectroscopy. Magn Reson Med 50: 24-32, 2003.