Department of Biology

Program

Evolution, Ecology & Behavior

Research Area

Behavior

Education

Ph.D., University of Washington, 1997

Awards

Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award, the Oak Ridge Associated Universities, 2006

Research Description

Sensory systems demonstrate an amazing ability to filter environmental information depending on the prevailing context. This ability allows animals to act appropriately in situations such as interaction with members of their species, or in response to potential threats. Sensory filtering is also important in human perception, as in hearing and understanding speech during social interactions, and in disorders in such perceptual processes. Work in my lab explores a neurochemical signal, serotonin, which is one of the mechanisms allowing the auditory system to filter important information. We are interested in the function of serotonin-auditory interactions, how these are influenced by behavioral context, and how they change the way the auditory system interprets behaviorally relevant information. In order to address these issues, we use a range of techniques from analysis of social behavior and vocalizations in mice, to several types of electrophysiological measurements. Our work strongly benefits from the excellent intellectual environment on campus, and by our membership in interdisciplinary groups including the Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior and the Program in Neuroscience. In particular, we have a great local strength on mechanisms of behavior. To learn more about specific projects taking place in our lab and opportunities to participate, please explore the lab website.

Select Publications

Hurley LM, Bohorquez A, Tracy J. 2008. The serotonin 1B receptor modulates frequency response curves and spectral integration in the inferior colliculus by reducing GABAergic inhibition. J Neurophysiol. 100:1656-67.

Hurley LM, Bohorquez A, Tracy J. 2008. The serotonin 1B receptor modulates frequency response curves and spectral integration in the inferior colliculus by reducing GABAergic inhibition. J Neurophysiol. 100:1656-67.

Hall IC and Hurley LM 2007. The serotonin releaser fenfluramine alters the auditory responses of inferior colliculus neurons. Hear Res 228(1-2):82-94.

Hurley LM 2007. Activation of the serotonin 1A receptor alters the temporal characteristics of auditory responses in the inferior colliculus. Brain Res 1181:21-9.

Hurley LM 2006. Different serotonin receptor agonists have distinct effects on sound-evoked responses in inferior colliculus. J Neurophysiol. 96(5):2177-88.

Hurley LM and Pollak GD 2005. Serotonin shifts first-spike latencies of inferior colliculus neurons. J Neurosci. 2005 Aug 24;25(34):7876-86.

Hurley LM and Pollak GD 2005. Serotonin selectively modulates responses to species-specific vocalizations in the inferior colliculus. J Comp Physiol A, Apr 14 (Epub 2005 Apr 14)

Hurley LM, Devilbiss DM, Waterhouse BD 2004. A matter of focus: monoaminergic modulation of stimulus coding within mammalian sensory networks. Current Opinion in Neurobiology, 14: 488-495. (invited review)

Thompson AM, Hurley LM. 2004. Dense serotonergic innervation of principal nuclei of the superior olivary complex in mouse. Neurosci Lett, 168: 179-182.

Klug A, Bauer EE, Hanson J, Hurley LM, Meitzen J, Pollak GD. 2002. Inhibition generates response selectivity for species-specific calls in the inferior colliculus of Mexican free-tailed bats. Journal of Neurophysiology 88: 1941-1954.

Hurley, LM; Thompson, AM; Pollak, GD. 2002. Serotonin in the inferior colliculus. Hearing Research, 168:1-11. (review)

Hurley, LM and Thompson, AM. 2001. Serotonin staining in the auditory brainstem of the Mexican free-tailed bat, Journal of Comparative Neurology, 435(1):78-88.

Hurley, LM and Pollak, GD. 2001. Serotonin effects on frequency tuning of inferior colliculus neurons. Journal of Neurophysiology, 85(2):828-42.

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