Neural and Hormonal Substrates of Behavior

小行星9728883 一个主要的生物学问题是理解行为调节中的性别差异和相似性的本质。 在比较男性和女性时出现的一个问题是，我们经常对男性使用与女性不同的测量尺度。 此外，科学家们往往只关注两性之间的差异。 克莱门斯博士指出，当使用男性和女性之间具有可比性的行为功能单位时，就会出现适用于两种性别的一般原则。 使用最先进的神经解剖学工具来检查神经活动，他将确定男性和女性是否已经进化出前脑机制，对相同的情境特征做出类似的反应。 另一方面，克莱门斯博士还指出，男性和女性的外周神经系统存在着实质性的生理差异，这些差异是由于早期发育过程中的内分泌过程而出现的。 他将使用各种生物和行为技术来研究潜在的机制。 这些实验将使他能够非常精确地指定，在男性和女性的生理和行为过程的不同阶段，中枢神经系统中的哪些细胞是活跃的。 这些基础研究的结果可以提供一个新的框架，在其中查看行为的神经内分泌底物的性别差异和相似性。 此外，这一发现可能有助于更好地理解复杂的外周神经活动模式是如何被中枢神经系统整合和控制的。

9728883 Clemens A major biological issue is understanding the nature of sex differences and similarities in the regulation of behavior. One of the problems that arises in comparing males and females is that we often use different measurement scales for males than we use for females. Moreover, scientists tend to focus their attention only on the differences between the sexes. Dr. Clemens notes that when functional units of behavior that are comparable between males and females are used, then general principles emerge that can apply to both genders. Using state-of-the-art neuroanatomical tools to examine neural activity, he will determine whether males and females have evolved forebrain mechanisms that respond similarly to the same contextual features of a situation. On the other hand, Dr. Clemens also notes substantial physiological differences exist in the peripheral nervous system of males and females which emerge as a result of endocrine processes during early development. He will use a variety of biological and behavioral techniques to investigate underlying mechanisms. These experiments will allow him to specify with great precision, exactly which cells in the central nervous system are active during different phases of the physiological and behavioral process in both males and females. The results from these fundamental studies could provide a new framework within which to view sex differences and similarities in the neuroendocrine substrates of behavior. Moreover, the findings could lead to a better understanding of how complex patterns of peripheral neural activity are integrated and controlled by the central nervous system.