Loretta Flanagan-Cato | University of Pennsylvania Department of Psychology

Associate Professor

Department:

Psychology

Education:

BA, Psychology, Rutgers University; Ph.D., Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh

Address:

Solomon Labs, 3720 Walnut St, Room D1

Phone:

215-898-4085

Email:

flanagan@psych.upenn.edu

Lab Page

Research Themes:

Animal Learning and Behavior

Behavioral Neuroscience

Specific Research Areas:

Behavioral neuroscience; especially hormonal effects on neural circuitry in the hypothalamus

Research Synopsis:

The research in my laboratory examines the effects of hormones on neural circuitry in the rat brain, particularly the hypothalamus. Estrogen induces neural plasticity in various brain regions, including the hypothalamus, which allows the modulation of reproductive and ingestive behaviors in adult female rodents according to the phase of the estrus cycle. The research in my laboratory capitalizes on multidisciplinary approaches to study these neurohormonal interactions. Techniques range from behavioral analysis, receptor localization, tracing studies, pharmacological analyses, and molecular studies of the regulation of transcription. This research is funded by the National Institute of Health.

Representative Courses:

BIBB 109 Intro to Brain and Behavior
PSYC 139 Neuroendocrinology

Appointments:

Psychology Graduate Group; Neuroscience Graduate Group

Advisees:

Laura Felgendreger [Neuroscience Graduate Student]
Sarah Ferri-Kolwicz [Psychology Graduate Student]
Samantha Way [Psychology Graduate Student]

Representative Publications:

Felgendreger, L.A., S.J. Fluharty, D.K. Yee, and L.M. Flanagan-Cato. Endogenous angiotensin II-induced p42/44 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation mediates sodium appetite but not thirst or neurohypophysial secretion. Journal of Neuroendocrinology 25: 97-106, 2013.

Ferri, S.L., C.J. Rohrbach, S.E. Way, K.S. Curtis, J.T. Curtis, and L.M. Flanagan-Cato. Dendritic arbor of neurons in the hypothalamic ventromedial nucleus in female prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster). Hormones and Behavior 62: 173-179, 2013.

Ferri, S.L. and L.M. Flanagan-Cato. Oxytocin and dendrite remodeling in the hypothalamus. Hormones and Behavior, 61: 251-258, 2012.

Griffin, G.D. and L.M. Flanagan-Cato. Ovarian hormone action in the hypothalamic ventromedial nucleus: remodelling to regulate reproduction. J. Neuroendocrinology, 23: 465-471, 2011

Flanagan-Cato, L.M. Sex differences in the neural circuits mediating female sexual receptivity (Invited Review). Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology, 32: 124-136, 2011.

Griffin, G.D., S.L. Ferri-Kolwicz, B.S. Reyes, E.J. Van Bockstaele and L.M. Flanagan-Cato. Ovarian hormone-induced reorganization of oxytocin-labeled dendrites and synapses lateral to the hypothalamic ventromedial nucleus in female rats. Journal of Comparative Neurology, 518; 4531-4545, 2010.