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Developmental Endocrinology & Biology

Research

Our laboratory has had longstanding interest in fundamental issues that are pertinent to children. These areas of interest include the development of circadian rhythms, heart formation, brain development, and pediatric endocrine disorders.

In the area of circadian biology, we have recently completed a large clinical study testing the effects of cycled lighting on the developing newborn. Showing the importance of considering circadian biology in clinical care, we find that patterns of sleep and wakeful are apparent soon after discharge to home in infants exposed to cycled lighting. Because of the clear nature of our findings, we anticipate that these observations will lead to widespread changes in the practice of neonatal medicine. Our studies also provide an important and needed link between the basic science of developmental chronobiology and clinical medicine.

In the area of heart formation, we have discovered that the small molecule adenosine plays an important role in the developing heart. We have found that adenosine acting through A1 receptors (A1ARs) potently regulates embryonic heart rate at the inception of cardiac contractility. We also find that increased levels of adenosine can result in abnormal heart formation.

We have also found that A1ARs are expressed in the brain during early development. We find that A1AR activation inhibits white matter formation and induces features of periventricular white matter injury, which is one of the most common neurological disorders affecting premature infants. These observations are providing a basis for the development of new approaches in brain injury prevention in premature infants.

We are examining the impact of hypoglycemia on the developing brain. In addition, we are developing new treatments for endocrine conditions including congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) and refining approaches for the treatment and evaluation pediatric thyroid disorders.