Research Interests
Currently my research focuses on the cellular plasticity in the normal/healthy vs. damaged nervous system. I work with an animal model of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders to examine the effects of alcohol exposure on the developing brain.
Major Questions
- Is adult hippocampal dentate gyrus cell proliferation altered after third trimester alcohol exposure?
- Is adult neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus affected by developmental alcohol exposure?
- Is glial genesis in the dentate gyrus influenced by third trimester alcohol exposure?
- Is the expression of the immediate early gene Arc altered by developmental alcohol exposure in both pre-existing and newly generated adult neurons in the dentate gyrus?
- Can behavioral intervention (exercise) ameliorate the structural damage caused by developmental alcohol exposure?
- How stable is the exercise induced morphological enhancement?
Journal Articles
A.Y.Klintsova; L.H. Calizo; J.L. Helfer; W.K. Dong; C.R.Goodlett; W.T. Greenough. Persistent impairment of hippocampal neurogenesis in young adult rats following early postnatal alcohol exposure. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 2007, 12, pp xxx.
Conference Abstracts
J.L. Helfer, C.R. Goodlett, W.T. Greenough, A.Y. Klintsova. VOLUNTARY EXERCISE INCREASES ADULT HIPPOCAMPAL NEUROGENESIS IN POSTWEANING RATS EXPOSED TO ALCOHOL DURING THE BRAIN GROWTH SPURT. SFN. San Diego California. November 2007.
J.L. Helfer, C.R. Goodlett, W.T. Greenough, A.Y. Klintsova. VOLUNTARY EXERCISE INCREASES ADULT HIPPOCAMPAL NEUROGENESIS IN POSTWEANING RATS EXPOSED TO ALCOHOL DURING THE THIRD TRIMESTER EQUIVALENT. RSA. Chicago Illinois. July 2007.
J.L. Helfer, L.H. Calizo, L.T.Whitcher, W.K. Dong, C.R. Goodlett, W.T. Greenough, A.Y. Klintsova. Twelve Hour Voluntary Exercise in Postweaning Rats Exposed to Alcohol During the Third Trimester Equivalent Does Not Alter Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis. ISBRA. Sydney Australia. September 2006.
J.L. Helfer, L.H. Calizo, W.K. Dong, C.R. Goodlett, W.T. Greenough, A.Y. Klintsova. POSTWEANING WHEEL RUNNING EFFECT ON CYTOGENESIS IN ADULT RAT MOTOR CORTEX AFTER NEONATAL ALCOHOL EXPOSURE. RSA. Baltimore Maryland. June 2006.
Press Book
J.L. Helfer, C.R. Goodlett, W.T. Greenough, A.Y. Klintsova. VOLUNTARY EXERCISE INCREASES ADULT HIPPOCAMPAL NEUROGENESIS IN POSTWEANING RATS EXPOSED TO ALCOHOL DURING THE BRAIN GROWTH SPURT. SFN. San Diego California. November 2007.
Teaching Assistantships
Brain and Behavior
Biological Basis of Psychology
Degrees
B.A., Cum Laude, Psychology, University of North Carolina at Wilmington, December 2004
Academic and Professional Honors
ISBRA Congress Travel Award 2006
University Travel Award for ISBRA 2006 and SFN 2007
Department Competitive Research Fellow, University of Delaware, Spring 2006 and Fall 2007
RSA Student Merit Award 2007
Neuroscience 2007 Press Book and Press Conference Invitation