Dr. Christine Hohmann
Associate Professor
Program Director, MBRS-RISE
Department of Biology
School of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences
Morgan State University
1700 E. Coldspring Lane
Baltimore, Maryland 21251

Key G51
(tel) 443-885-4002
chohmann@jewel.morgan.edu

Research Interest

Our laboratory studies brain development in mouse models within the context of understanding developmental disorders of the human brain. In particular, we have focussed on the role of afferent neuromodulator chemical such as acetylcholine, norepinephrine and serotonin in shaping development and plasticity in the ontogeny of neocortex. We are using morphological, neurochemical/molecular and behavioral assessments in our studies to understand structure/function relationships in the developing cortex and to explore their molecular regulation. Recent interests of the lab also include effects of perinatal environmental stress on cortical development and cognition.

Selected Recent Publications

1. Arters, J., Hohmann, C.F. Mills, J., Olaghere O. and Berger-Sweeney, J. Sexually dimorphic responses to neonatal basal forebrain lesions in mice: I. Behavior and Neurochemistry; Journal of Neurobiology, 37:582-594, 1998;
2. Hohmann, C.F. and Berger-Sweeney, J.E. Sexually dimorphic responses to neonatal basal forebrain lesions in mice: II Quantitative assessments of cortical morphology; Journal of Neurobiology, 37:595-606, 1998;
3. Hohmann, C.F., Richardson, C., Pitts, E. and Berger-Sweeney. J.E.Neonatal 5,7-DHT lesions cause sex specific changes in mouse cortical morphogenesis. Neural Plasticity, 7(4), 313-232, 2000;
4. Nishimura, A., Hohmann, C.F., Johnston, M. and Blue, M.E. Neonatal basal forebrain lesions alter developmental plasticity in the mouse barrel field. Internatl. Journal of Devel. Neurosci., 20, 481-489, 2002.
5. Ricceri, l., Hohmann, C.F. and Berger-Sweeney, J. A role for the cholinergic basal forebrain system in early cortical development and behavior in male and female rats. Brain Res., 954,160-172, 2002.
6. Hohmann, C.F. Acetylcholine serves as a morphogen in cortical development and plasticity Neuroscience Biobehavioral Review, 27 (4), 351-363, 2003.
7. Connel, S., Karikari, C. and Hohmann, C.F. Sex specific development of cortical monoamine levels in mouse. Devel. Brain Res., 151,187-191, 2004.

Recent Book Chapters and Books

1. Hohmann, C.F. Cholinergic regulation of cortical development in: Handbook on Brain and Behavior in Human Development Ed. Gramsbergen, A. and Kalverboer, A.F., Kluever, Acad. Publishers, Boston, Dortrecht, London. 2001, pp 99-138.
2. Berger-Sweeney, J. and C. F. Hohmann. "Dysplasias" in Encyclopedia of Psychology and Neuroscience. (Eds. W. E. Craighead & C. B. Nemeroff).John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 2001, pp 466-467.
3. Development of Cerebral Cortex, Ed. C. F. Hohmann, in: Results and Problems in Cell Differentiation, Springer Verlag, Berlin, Germany, 2002.

Research Projects

Project #1
Characterization of a mouse model for autism: We have developed a neonatal serotonergic lesion model to study the hypothesis that sensory-motor, cognitive and social-behavioral deficits in autism may be the results of serotonergic hypo-innervation in cortical ontogeny. We are conducting these studies as part of a national, multi-site STAART autism research center with colleagues at the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore.

Project #2
Effects of early postnatal stress on brain development: We are characterizing the behavioral, molecular and morphological effects of early postnatal stress in Balb/CByJ mice. These animals undergo substantial alteration in cortical morphogenesis as results of the early stress exposure that are subsequently modulated by later life experience.

Project # 3
Within the context of the mouse model outlined under #2, we are testing the hypothesis that the GLC1A gene, implicated in open angle glaucome, is modulated bby stress exposure in vivo. We are characterizing the expression of this gene and its product at various developmental ages in brain tissue.

Project # 4
Catecholaminergic regulation of cortical development: Previous work in our laboratory has shown that neonatal dopamine and norepinephrine depletion of the developing cortex leads to significant sex dependent alteration of cortical morphogenesis and behavioral abnormalities by adulthood. In collaboration with colleagues at NIDA we are currently collecting pilot data to screen for genes involved in catecholamine regulation of early cortical morphogenesis.

Current Lab Members

Carmen Redding research assistant/laboratory manager
Ellen Walker research assistant
Brian Thompson laboratory assistant
Nakia Beard MBRS RISE student research assistant
Amber Hodges Postdoctoral Fellow
Lalith Naidu graduate student, Ph.D. Program for Bio- environmental Sciences;
Nizeet Aguilar Bridges-Program student research assistant
Nadia Desir Student research assistant

Recent Lab Graduates

Shelly Wortham (nee Wortham) recently completed her Ph.D. in Science Education at MSU and is employed in an area Christian School as a science teacher.
Marcus Martin has started a Ph.D. Program in Microbiology at Florida State University.
Abiola Dada (nee Alatishe), Patience Karikari, Collins Karikari and Brandy McKinney are all gainfully employed in various area research laboratories.
Deanna Lipscomb and Kristen Washington are both studying for MS degrees as Physician’s Assistants in New England.
Elizabeth Betz finished her MS in Biology at MSU and is working at NIDA.
Ariel Settles completed her M.Ed. at UMBC and is working in the Balto. Public Schools.
Qianna Simmons is working as a high school science teacher in Balto. City.
Lois Peters received her MD from Wayne State University last May and has begun a residency in Pediatrics in a Baltimore-area hospital.