Neuroscience/Developmental Faculty

Research encompasses regulation of critical periods for learning and neural plasticity, development of sex differences in brain and behavior, regulation of neuron survival over the life-span, mechanisms of neuronal cell death. 

Current research is focused on identification of neural signaling pathways involved in brain development and learning, cannabinoid effects on brain development and behavior, and behavioral regulation of gene expression during neural development.

Soderstrom, K. and Johnson, F. (2001) Zebra finch CB1 cannabinoid receptor: Pharmacology and in vivo and in vitro effects of activation. The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, 279, 189-197.

Johnson, F., Norstrom, E, & Soderstrom, K. (2000) Increased expression of endogenous biotin, but not BDNF, in telencephalic song regions during zebra finch vocal learning. Developmental Brain Research, 120, 113-123.

Soderstrom, K. & Johnson, F. (2000) CB1 cannabinoid receptor expression in brain regions associated with zebra finch song control. Brain Research, 857, 151-157.

Whitney, O., Soderstrom, K., & Johnson, F. (2000)   Post-transcriptional regulation of zenk expression associated with zebra finch vocal development. Molecular Brain Research, 80, 279-290.

Johnson, F., Hohmann, S.E., DiStefano, P.S. & Bottjer, S.W. (1997) Neurotrophins suppress apoptosis induced by deafferentation of an avian motor-cortical region. Journal of Neuroscience, 17, 2101-2111.

Johnson, F., Sablan, M.M., & Bottjer, S.W. (1995) Topographic organization of forebrain pathway involved with vocal learning in zebra finches. Journal of Comparative Neurology, 358, 260-278.

Johnson, F., & Bottjer, S.W. (1994). Afferent influences over cell death and birth during development of a cortical nucleus necessary for learned vocal behavior in zebra finches. Development, 120, 13-24.