Differential effects of exposure to toxic or nontoxic mold spores on brain inflammation and Morris water maze performance.

People who live or work in moldy buildings often complain of "brain fog" that interferes with cognitive performance. Until recently, there was no published research on the effects of controlled exposure to mold stimuli on cognitive function or an obvious mechanism of action, fueling controversy over these claims. The constellation of health problems reported by mold-exposed individuals (respiratory issues, fatigue, pain, anxiety, depression, and cognitive deficits) correspond to those caused by innate immune activation following exposure to bacterial or viral stimuli.

Mold inhalation causes innate immune activation, neural, cognitive and emotional dysfunction.

Individuals living or working in moldy buildings complain of a variety of health problems including pain, fatigue, increased anxiety, depression, and cognitive deficits. The ability of mold to cause such symptoms is controversial since no published research has examined the effects of controlled mold exposure on brain function or proposed a plausible mechanism of action. Patient symptoms following mold exposure are indistinguishable from those caused by innate immune activation following bacterial or viral exposure.

Neurotoxic effects of DSP-4 on the central noradrenergic system in male zebra finches.

When administered systemically, the noradrenergic neurotoxin N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-ethyl-2-bromobenzylamine (DSP-4) appears to target the noradrenergic innervation originating in the locus coeruleus causing long-term decrements in noradrenergic function. In songbirds, DSP-4-treatment decreased female-directed singing by males and copulation solicitation responses of females to male songs. However, DSP-4 treatment in songbirds did not lower measures of NE function in the brain to the same extent as it does in mammals.

Dopaminergic modulation of reproductive behavior and activity in male zebra finches.

We previously demonstrated that hormone treatments which stimulate female-directed singing increased levels and turnover of dopamine (DA) in brain areas controlling the motor patterning of song. To help determine how DA affects singing, we quantified the effects of treating adult male finches with the D1/D2 receptor antagonist cis-flupenthixol. Adult males were given subcutaneous silastic implants of androgen, in case drug treatment interfered with androgen secretion.

Brief alteration in dopaminergic function during development causes deficits in adult reproductive behavior.

Our previous research revealed dramatic increases in dopaminergic function in vocal control and auditory nuclei in male zebra finches during the period of song learning. Such increases were not seen in the hypothalamic areas examined. In the current study, we manipulated dopamine receptor function during this period to determine how this might affect later singing behavior.

Hormonal modulation of singing: hormonal modulation of the songbird brain and singing behavior.

During the past three decades research on the hormonal control of singing has fundamentally altered our basic concepts about how hormones modulate brain function and activate behavior. Exciting discoveries first documented in songbird brains have since been documented in a wide variety of vertebrate species, including humans. Circulating hormones organize sexual dimorphisms in brain structure during development, activate changes in brain structure during adulthood, and modulate the addition of new neurons in the adult brain.

Learning from bird brains: how the study of songbird brains revolutionized neuroscience.

During the past 30 years, songbirds have become a popular model for neuroscience research. The author reviews three fundamental discoveries that have revolutionized the field and changed the way we understand the structure and function of the brain.

Vasotocin treatment inhibits courtship in male zebra finches; concomitant androgen treatment inhibits this effect.

Zebra finches evolved in arid areas of Australia. Their reproduction is stimulated by water availability, which is unpredictable. Cheng (Poult.