I am a basic neuroscience researcher with a background in behavioral neuroscience. My research uses a mouse model of traumatic brain injury (TBI) to study post-traumatic hippocampal neurogenesis, which is the generation and integration of adult-born neurons into the hippocampal circuitry. Specifically, I am interested in determining whether new neurons generated in response to TBI help or hinder cognitive recovery. I am also interested in determining whether the long-term effects of TBI on hippocampal neurogenesis are influenced by sex. My lab uses molecular and behavioral approaches to understand the functional significance of post-traumatic neurogenesis better.

My current projects in the lab involve determining how diazepam, a benzodiazepine that is commonly used in the clinical setting, alters post-traumatic neurogenesis. Results from this project will help shed light on the functional significance of post-traumatic neurogenesis and have important implications for the use of benzodiazepines during hospital care of TBI patients. The second project in my lab aims to determine whether female mice have a greater neurogenic response to TBI and if such differences are associated with sex differences in cognitive outcome long after brain injury. A third project involves examining the mechanisms underlying acute and long-term changes in hippocampal neurogenesis after TBI.

Laura Villasana, Ph.D.- OHSU Expert Link