Nirao Shah, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor
nms at ucsf dot edu
Administrative Assistant: 415-476-0873
Shah Lab Website

The Neural Control of Sexually Dimorphic Behaviors

How does the brain encode sex-specific behaviors? Sexual dimorphisms are observed in many behaviors, including courtship, aggression, and nursing. Behavioral dimorphisms result from anatomic or molecular sex differences in neural circuits. We use molecular and genetic techniques to identify neural centers with sexual dimorphisms in anatomy or gene expression. We are using genetic strategies to assess the behavioral contributions of these neurons and to map their connectivity. Ultimately our studies should allow us to link neural circuits with sensory input and dimorphic behaviors, and to understand how these circuits accommodate experience to modify behavioral output.

Complete list of Publications/PubMed

Selected Publications

Nursing behavior: Remembrance of things past
Shah, N.M. Curr Biol, 16:R842-R844 (2006).

Deficits in sexual and aggressive behaviors in Cnga2 mutant mice.
Mandiyan, V.S., Coats, J.K., & Shah, N.M. Nat Neurosci 8: 1660-1662 (2005).

Visualizing sexual dimorphism in the brain.
Shah, N. M., Pisapia, D.J., Maniatis, S., Mendelsohn, M., Nemes, A. & Axel, R. Neuron 43:313-319 (2004).

Axonal ephrin-As and odorant receptors: coordinate determination of the olfactory sensory map.
Cutforth, T., Moring L., Mendelsohn, M., Nemes, A., Shah, N.M., Kim, M., Frisen, J. & Axel, R. Cell 114:311-322 (2003).