Neurophysiology of Psychiatric Diseases
The Pleil lab in the Department of Pharmacology studies how the synthesis and signaling of steroid hormones in the brain and body regulate brain circuit function, physiology, and behavior through interactions with neuropeptides. The lab’s primary interest is understanding how peripheral and central hormone actions ultimately regulate neuropeptidergic neural circuits that control neuropsychiatric disease-related behaviors including alcohol/drug intake, anxiety, and mood. We are particularly focused on how these mechanisms contribute to sex-dependent behavioral expression and aberrant plasticity that confers sexually dimorphic disease susceptibility, with the goal of identifying novel therapeutic targets for prevention and intervention.
The Lab Team
The Pleil lab is comprised of scientists with diverse experiences, expertise, and interests who work collaboratively to answer fundamental questions about the mechanisms of neuropsychiatric diseases.
Our Research
The Pleil lab’s mission is to understand how steroid hormones and neuropeptides interact to regulate central and peripheral physiology and behavior in health and disease.