James Pauly, PhD

Professor Emeritus

Dr. Pauly's research interests are primarily focused on the neurobiological actions of nicotine. The CNS nicotinic cholinergic system is studied using techniques that include quantitative receptor autoradiography, quantitative in situ hybridization histochemistry, ion flux assays and behavioral analyses. Dr. Pauly's lab is currently studying 1) the effects of prenatal nicotine exposure on brain development 2) the actions of steroid hormones (adrenal and ovarian) on the number and functional status of brain nicotinic receptor subtypes 3) the role of alpha 7 nicotinic receptors in regulating responsiveness to nicotine and 4) the brain nicotinic system in neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease. Dr. Pauly is also interested in the use of novel radioligands for the histochemical localization of receptor subtypes in the CNS as well as peripheral tissues such as the lung and heart.

PUBLICATIONS