Neurodevelopmental and Behavioral Toxicology Group | National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
Source: https://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/atniehs/labs/mtb/neurodevelopmental
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:11
Neurodevelopmental and Behavioral Toxicology Group | National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
Skip Navigation
Neurodevelopmental and Behavioral Toxicology Group
Close the left navigation
Much of the work carried out by DTT is in support of the National Toxicology Program (NTP), an interagency partnership of the Food and Drug Administration, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and NIEHS.
Visit the NTP Website
Mechanistic Toxicology Branch
Heather B. Patisaul, Ph.D.
Scientific Director, Division of Translational Toxicology
Tel 984-287-4691
[email protected]
The Neurodevelopmental and Behavioral Toxicology Group seeks to understand how the environment may be contributing to rising rates of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) by identifying the mechanisms by which endogenous hormones and other intrinsic signals influence NDD-related areas of brain development, sexual differentiation, and behavior. Using a variety of uniquely suitable animal models, including prairie voles because they spontaneously display prosocial traits including paternal care and monogamy, 2D and 3D brain imaging, behavioral testing, and a systems biology approach including a focus on the brain-placenta axis, the group aims to determine how neuroendocrine signaling fundamental to socioemotional behaviors may be vulnerable to endocrine disruption and developmental neurotoxicity. This research also aims to generate better tools and approaches for toxicologists to experimentally assess how environmental factors may sex-specifically contribute to NDDs; most of which lack defining pathology.
Major areas of research:
Critical periods of sexual differentiation during development
Role of the placenta on early brain development
Environmental influence on socioemotional behaviors such as anxiety
Current projects:
Using prairie voles and the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) framework developed by NIMH, we are examining how developmental exposure to flame retardants and other chemicals sex-specifically impairs socioemotional behaviors such as attachment and pair bonding, and the mechanisms underlying these disruptions.
We are collaboratively developing cell-based models of early placental development to probe mechanisms by which environmental chemicals impact placental neurotransmitter production and other essential functions that support healthy neurodevelopment.
Via collaboration with Dr. Frank von Hippel at the University of Arizona, we are using wild-caught mice as a model for probing how exposure to real world mixtures impacts neurodevelopment and brain health.
Patisaul received her Ph.D. from Emory University where she completed seminal work on neuroendocrine disruption by soy isoflavones with Patricia Whitten and Larry Young. Following postdoctoral work at the Emory National Primate Research Center with Kim Wallen and Mark Wilson, she joined CIIT (which became the Hamner Institute) in 2004 and then NC State in 2006 where she ultimately served as the Associate Dean for Research in the College of Sciences for four years. Patisaul moved to NIEHS to head the Division of Translational Toxicology in 2024.
Recent Publications
Cao J, Gillera S, Marinello W, Patisaul H. Sex-specific disruption of estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) density in the social brain neural network by Firemaster 550.
Journal of the Endocrine Society
.
2026 Apr;10(4):bvag050.
[
Abstract
Cao J, Gillera S, Marinello W, Patisaul H. Sex-specific disruption of estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) density in the social brain neural network by Firemaster 550. Journal of the Endocrine Society. 2026 Apr
]
Schkoda S, Horman B, Witchey S, St Armour G, Nelson M, Gaeta E, Scott M, Patisaul H. Sex-specific effects on elements of the social brain neural network in Wistar rats from perinatal exposure to FireMaster 550 or its components.
Neurotoxicology
.
2024 Dec;105:111-120.
[
Abstract
Schkoda S, Horman B, Witchey S, St Armour G, Nelson M, Gaeta E, Scott M, Patisaul H. Sex-specific effects on elements of the social brain neural network in Wistar rats from perinatal exposure to FireMaster 550 or its components. Neurotoxicology. 2024 Dec
]
Siegler P, Shaughnessy E, Horman B, Vierling T, King D, Patisaul H, Huhman K, Alexander G, Dudek S. Identification of hippocampal area CA2 in hamster and vole brain.
The Journal of comparative neurology
.
2024 Mar;532(3):e25603.
[
Abstract
Siegler P, Shaughnessy E, Horman B, Vierling T, King D, Patisaul H, Huhman K, Alexander G, Dudek S. Identification of hippocampal area CA2 in hamster and vole brain. The Journal of comparative neurology. 2024 Mar
]
Siegler P, Shaughnessy E, Horman B, Vierling T, King D, Patisaul H, Huhman K, Alexander G, Dudek S. Identification of hippocampal area CA2 in hamster and vole brain.
bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology
.
2024 Feb 14 [Epub ahead of print].
[
Abstract
Siegler P, Shaughnessy E, Horman B, Vierling T, King D, Patisaul H, Huhman K, Alexander G, Dudek S. Identification of hippocampal area CA2 in hamster and vole brain. bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology. 2024 Feb 14
]
Schkoda S, Horman B, Witchey S, Jansson A, Macari S, Patisaul H. Skeletal effects following developmental flame-retardant exposure are specific to sex and chemical class in the adult Wistar rat.
Frontiers in toxicology
.
2023;5:1216388.
[
Abstract
Schkoda S, Horman B, Witchey S, Jansson A, Macari S, Patisaul H. Skeletal effects following developmental flame-retardant exposure are specific to sex and chemical class in the adult Wistar rat. Frontiers in toxicology. 2023
]
NTP Reports
CLARITY-BPA Research Program. NTP Research Report on the Consortium Linking Academic and Regulatory Insights on Bisphenol A Toxicity (CLARITY-BPA): A Compendium of Published Findings: Research Report 18
NTP Research Reports
.
2021 Oct [Epub ahead of print].
[
Abstract
CLARITY-BPA Research Program. NTP Research Report on the Consortium Linking Academic and Regulatory Insights on Bisphenol A Toxicity (CLARITY-BPA): A Compendium of Published Findings: Research Report 18 NTP Research Reports. 2021 Oct
]
More Recent Publications from PubMed
Scientists & Staff
Heather B. Patisaul, Ph.D.
Scientific Director, Division of Translational Toxicology
Tel 984-287-4691
[email protected]
Jinyan Cao, M.D., Ph.D.
Staff Scientist
Tel 984-287-4194
[email protected]
Andrew J. Newell, Ph.D.
Staff Scientist
Tel 984-287-4194
[email protected]
Back
to Top
Last Reviewed: January 02, 2026
Skip Navigation
Neurodevelopmental and Behavioral Toxicology Group
Close the left navigation
Much of the work carried out by DTT is in support of the National Toxicology Program (NTP), an interagency partnership of the Food and Drug Administration, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and NIEHS.
Visit the NTP Website
Mechanistic Toxicology Branch
Heather B. Patisaul, Ph.D.
Scientific Director, Division of Translational Toxicology
Tel 984-287-4691
[email protected]
The Neurodevelopmental and Behavioral Toxicology Group seeks to understand how the environment may be contributing to rising rates of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) by identifying the mechanisms by which endogenous hormones and other intrinsic signals influence NDD-related areas of brain development, sexual differentiation, and behavior. Using a variety of uniquely suitable animal models, including prairie voles because they spontaneously display prosocial traits including paternal care and monogamy, 2D and 3D brain imaging, behavioral testing, and a systems biology approach including a focus on the brain-placenta axis, the group aims to determine how neuroendocrine signaling fundamental to socioemotional behaviors may be vulnerable to endocrine disruption and developmental neurotoxicity. This research also aims to generate better tools and approaches for toxicologists to experimentally assess how environmental factors may sex-specifically contribute to NDDs; most of which lack defining pathology.
Major areas of research:
Critical periods of sexual differentiation during development
Role of the placenta on early brain development
Environmental influence on socioemotional behaviors such as anxiety
Current projects:
Using prairie voles and the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) framework developed by NIMH, we are examining how developmental exposure to flame retardants and other chemicals sex-specifically impairs socioemotional behaviors such as attachment and pair bonding, and the mechanisms underlying these disruptions.
We are collaboratively developing cell-based models of early placental development to probe mechanisms by which environmental chemicals impact placental neurotransmitter production and other essential functions that support healthy neurodevelopment.
Via collaboration with Dr. Frank von Hippel at the University of Arizona, we are using wild-caught mice as a model for probing how exposure to real world mixtures impacts neurodevelopment and brain health.
Patisaul received her Ph.D. from Emory University where she completed seminal work on neuroendocrine disruption by soy isoflavones with Patricia Whitten and Larry Young. Following postdoctoral work at the Emory National Primate Research Center with Kim Wallen and Mark Wilson, she joined CIIT (which became the Hamner Institute) in 2004 and then NC State in 2006 where she ultimately served as the Associate Dean for Research in the College of Sciences for four years. Patisaul moved to NIEHS to head the Division of Translational Toxicology in 2024.
Recent Publications
Cao J, Gillera S, Marinello W, Patisaul H. Sex-specific disruption of estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) density in the social brain neural network by Firemaster 550.
Journal of the Endocrine Society
.
2026 Apr;10(4):bvag050.
[
Abstract
Cao J, Gillera S, Marinello W, Patisaul H. Sex-specific disruption of estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) density in the social brain neural network by Firemaster 550. Journal of the Endocrine Society. 2026 Apr
]
Schkoda S, Horman B, Witchey S, St Armour G, Nelson M, Gaeta E, Scott M, Patisaul H. Sex-specific effects on elements of the social brain neural network in Wistar rats from perinatal exposure to FireMaster 550 or its components.
Neurotoxicology
.
2024 Dec;105:111-120.
[
Abstract
Schkoda S, Horman B, Witchey S, St Armour G, Nelson M, Gaeta E, Scott M, Patisaul H. Sex-specific effects on elements of the social brain neural network in Wistar rats from perinatal exposure to FireMaster 550 or its components. Neurotoxicology. 2024 Dec
]
Siegler P, Shaughnessy E, Horman B, Vierling T, King D, Patisaul H, Huhman K, Alexander G, Dudek S. Identification of hippocampal area CA2 in hamster and vole brain.
The Journal of comparative neurology
.
2024 Mar;532(3):e25603.
[
Abstract
Siegler P, Shaughnessy E, Horman B, Vierling T, King D, Patisaul H, Huhman K, Alexander G, Dudek S. Identification of hippocampal area CA2 in hamster and vole brain. The Journal of comparative neurology. 2024 Mar
]
Siegler P, Shaughnessy E, Horman B, Vierling T, King D, Patisaul H, Huhman K, Alexander G, Dudek S. Identification of hippocampal area CA2 in hamster and vole brain.
bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology
.
2024 Feb 14 [Epub ahead of print].
[
Abstract
Siegler P, Shaughnessy E, Horman B, Vierling T, King D, Patisaul H, Huhman K, Alexander G, Dudek S. Identification of hippocampal area CA2 in hamster and vole brain. bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology. 2024 Feb 14
]
Schkoda S, Horman B, Witchey S, Jansson A, Macari S, Patisaul H. Skeletal effects following developmental flame-retardant exposure are specific to sex and chemical class in the adult Wistar rat.
Frontiers in toxicology
.
2023;5:1216388.
[
Abstract
Schkoda S, Horman B, Witchey S, Jansson A, Macari S, Patisaul H. Skeletal effects following developmental flame-retardant exposure are specific to sex and chemical class in the adult Wistar rat. Frontiers in toxicology. 2023
]
NTP Reports
CLARITY-BPA Research Program. NTP Research Report on the Consortium Linking Academic and Regulatory Insights on Bisphenol A Toxicity (CLARITY-BPA): A Compendium of Published Findings: Research Report 18
NTP Research Reports
.
2021 Oct [Epub ahead of print].
[
Abstract
CLARITY-BPA Research Program. NTP Research Report on the Consortium Linking Academic and Regulatory Insights on Bisphenol A Toxicity (CLARITY-BPA): A Compendium of Published Findings: Research Report 18 NTP Research Reports. 2021 Oct
]
More Recent Publications from PubMed
Scientists & Staff
Heather B. Patisaul, Ph.D.
Scientific Director, Division of Translational Toxicology
Tel 984-287-4691
[email protected]
Jinyan Cao, M.D., Ph.D.
Staff Scientist
Tel 984-287-4194
[email protected]
Andrew J. Newell, Ph.D.
Staff Scientist
Tel 984-287-4194
[email protected]
Back
to Top
Last Reviewed: January 02, 2026