Heather Bimonte-Nelson
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PSYCH 216 TEMPE, AZ 85287-1104
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Mail code: 1104Campus: Tempe
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Heather Bimonte-Nelson is a professor in the behavioral neuroscience program in the Department of Psychology at Arizona State University. For more than two decades, Bimonte-Nelson has conducted preclinical evaluations of multiple domains of cognitive function as related to aging, with a special focus on transitional and surgical menopause, and exogenous and endogenous hormone exposures across the lifespan. She has published more than 70 peer reviewed manuscripts evaluating hormone effects on the brain and behavior from early development until old age, with her earlier work showing that female brain organization is actively feminized by estrogens, and that estrogen exposures across the lifespan impact the female phenotype. She has expertise in behavioral measurements and related neurobiological assays, especially as associated with aging and hormone milieu. She recently edited a book on rodent behavioral testing entitled, “The Maze Book: Theories, Practice, and Protocols for Testing Rodent Cognition.”
- Postdoctoral Fellowship, Medical University of South Carolina, Physiology and Neuroscience, and the Center on Aging, under Dr. Lotta Granholm, 2000-2004
- Ph.D. University of Connecticut, under Professor Victor Denenberg 2000
The overarching research goal of the Bimonte-Nelson laboratory is to optimize the trajectory of brain and cognitive changes as aging ensues with a translational eye to women’s health, taking a systems and interdisciplinary approach to elucidate the factors driving menopause- and hormone- related impacts. The Bimonte-Nelson laboratory has identified key variables that influence normal aging, and showing that factors such as menopause etiology, endogenous hormone changes associated with ovarian follicular depletion and ovariectomy, and exogenous hormone exposures can alter cognition. Their research includes testing contraceptive and hormone therapy hormones approved for use in women to determine effects on the brain and cognition during aging, to identify potential parameters of efficacy, and to address novel alternatives. They are steadfast toward the goal of discovering pathways to inform healthy brain aging. They attempt to do so by determining key variants in neurocognitive changes with a lifetime of endogenous and exogenous hormone exposures, and by performing rodent studies with a keen eye toward clinical translation. Their interests also incorporate these goals with relevance to Alzheimer's disease-related variables. In addition, one of their long-term goals is to apply these research questions to humans.
Research Projects
- Hormone therapy effects on cognition and the brain as aging ensues, including interactions with menopause etiology
- How reproductive senescence influences age-related changes in learning and memory
- Dietary and experiential factors that alter age-related learning, memory, and neural changes, including interactions with sex and hormone milieu
- Alzheimer's disease cognitive and pathology profiles as associated with behavioral neuroendocrinology factors
- Krajmalnik-Brown,Rosa*, Bimonte-Nelson,Heather. The Influence of Estrogen on the Rat Gut Microbiome. MAYO CLINIC SCOTTSDALE(8/1/2015 - 12/31/2015).
- Bimonte-Nelson,Heather*, Brafman,David Adam, Coon,David Wayne, Petuskey,William T, Sierks,Michael Richard, Smith,Brian, Petuskey,William T*, Bimonte-Nelson,Heather, Coon,David Wayne, Gonzalez,Graciela H, Hecht,Sidney Michael, Sierks,Michael Richard, Smith,Brian, Petuskey,William T*, Bimonte-Nelson,Heather, Coon,David Wayne, Gonzalez,Graciela H, Hecht,Sidney Michael, Sierks,Michael Richard, Smith,Brian, Wang,Yalin. FY16: Arizona Alzheimer's Consortium. AADC(7/1/2015 - 6/30/2016).
- Bimonte-Nelson,Heather*. The sex-specific effects of an antidepressant treatment on cognition in aged rats. Inst. for Mental Health Res(9/16/2013 - 9/15/2014).
- Bimonte-Nelson,Heather*. Variations in Hormones during Menopause: Effects on Cognitive and Brain Aging. HHS-NIH-NIA(9/1/2013 - 5/31/2018).
- Bimonte-Nelson,Heather*, Gonzalez,Graciela H*, Bimonte-Nelson,Heather, Burleson,Mary, Coon,David Wayne, Mcclain,Darya Denise, Sierks,Michael Richard. Regulation of the Tryptophan Hyroxylase-2 Promoter by Estrogen. HHS-NIH-NIMH(7/1/2012 - 6/30/2014).
- Bimonte-Nelson,Heather*. Stimulating Cognition? Deep Brain Stimulation as a Mnemonic Enhancer During Aging. BARROWS INSTIT/ST JOES HOSP(9/9/2011 - 12/31/2012).
- Bimonte-Nelson,Heather*. Gonadal Steroid Receptors and the Hypothalamo-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis (L. Watterson Spring '11). UNIV OF AZ(12/27/2010 - 5/15/2011).
- Bimonte-Nelson,Heather*. Gonadal Steroid Receptors and the Hypothalamo-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis (C.Lewis-Spring '11). UNIV OF AZ(12/27/2010 - 5/15/2011).
- Bimonte-Nelson,Heather*. Gonadal Steroid Receptors and the Hypothalamo-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis. UNIV OF AZ(8/9/2010 - 12/31/2010).
- Bimonte-Nelson,Heather*. Genetic Variation in KIBRA and itsRole in Human Episodic Memory. TGen(4/1/2010 - 3/31/2012).
- Bimonte-Nelson,Heather*. Inhibition of DYRK1A kinase and effects on memory in the rodent. TGen(2/24/2010 - 4/24/2010).
- Renaut,Rosemary Anne*, Bimonte-Nelson,Heather, Coon,David Wayne, Gonzalez,Graciela H, Marchant,Gary E, Sierks,Michael Richard. AZ ASU Alzheimer's Research Center Project - 12. AADC(7/1/2009 - 6/30/2010).
- Renaut,Rosemary Anne*, Bimonte-Nelson,Heather, Coon,David Wayne, Johnston,Stephen Albert, Marchant,Gary E, Sierks,Michael Richard, Ye,Jieping. AZ ASU Alzheimer's Reserach Center Project- Year 11. AADC(7/1/2008 - 6/30/2009).
- Bimonte-Nelson,Heather*, Neisewander,Janet Leigh. Genetic Variation in KIBRA and itsRole in Human Episodic Memory. TGen(4/1/2008 - 3/31/2010).
- Bimonte-Nelson,Heather*. Variations in Hormone Therapy: Effects on Cognition and Markers on Brain Aging. HHS-NIH-NIA(9/1/2007 - 8/31/2013).
- Bimonte-Nelson,Heather*, Tyler,William James. Ovarian Hormone Loss and the Aging Brain: An Analysis of Hippocmapal Structure and Function. SUN HEALTH RESEARCH INST(7/1/2007 - 6/30/2008).
- Renaut,Rosemary Anne*, Aiken,Leona S, Bimonte-Nelson,Heather, Coon,David Wayne, Farin,Gerald E, Johnston,Stephen Albert, Sierks,Michael Richard. AZ ASU Alzheimer's Research Center Project - Year 10. AADC(7/1/2007 - 6/30/2008).
- Bimonte-Nelson,Heather*. Cognitive Function in a Transitional Versus Surgical Rat Model of Menopause. Inst. for Mental Health Res(5/15/2007 - 4/30/2008).
- Bimonte-Nelson,Heather*. The KIBRA Study. TGen(7/1/2006 - 6/30/2007).
- Alexander,Gene Evans*, Bimonte-Nelson,Heather, Coon,David Wayne, Farin,Gerald E, Johnston,Stephen Albert, Renaut,Rosemary Anne, Sierks,Michael Richard. AZ ASU Alzheimer's Research Center Project. AZ ADCC(7/1/2006 - 6/30/2007).
- Bimonte-Nelson,Heather*. The Preclinical Screening of Genetically Implicated Compounds for the Enhancement of Memory. UNIV OF AZ(7/1/2006 - 6/30/2008).
- Bimonte-Nelson,Heather*. Progesterone, Aging and Memory Loss. HHS-NIH-NIA(1/1/2006 - 4/30/2007).
- Bimonte-Nelson,Heather*. Sex Differences in Factors Influencing Cognitive Aging. HHS-NIH-NIA(9/30/2005 - 8/31/2008).
Courses
2023 Fall
Course Number | Course Title |
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PSY 492 | Honors Directed Study |
BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
PSY 591 | Seminar |
NEU 492 | Honors Directed Study |
NEU 493 | Honors Thesis |
2023 Summer
Course Number | Course Title |
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PSY 799 | Dissertation |
PSY 592 | Research |
2023 Spring
Course Number | Course Title |
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PSY 799 | Dissertation |
BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
2022 Fall
Course Number | Course Title |
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PSY 792 | Research |
PSY 799 | Dissertation |
BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
PSY 591 | Seminar |
2022 Summer
Course Number | Course Title |
---|---|
PSY 799 | Dissertation |
2022 Spring
Course Number | Course Title |
---|---|
PSY 792 | Research |
PSY 799 | Dissertation |
BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
2021 Fall
Course Number | Course Title |
---|---|
PSY 792 | Research |
PSY 799 | Dissertation |
BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
PSY 591 | Seminar |
PSY 599 | Thesis |
2021 Summer
Course Number | Course Title |
---|---|
PSY 792 | Research |
2021 Spring
Course Number | Course Title |
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PSY 792 | Research |
BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
PSY 592 | Research |
2020 Fall
Course Number | Course Title |
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PSY 792 | Research |
BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
PSY 592 | Research |
PSY 591 | Seminar |
2020 Summer
Course Number | Course Title |
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PSY 792 | Research |
2020 Spring
Course Number | Course Title |
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PSY 599 | Thesis |
PSY 792 | Research |
BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
PSY 592 | Research |
2019 Fall
Course Number | Course Title |
---|---|
PSY 599 | Thesis |
BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
PSY 592 | Research |
PSY 591 | Seminar |
2019 Summer
Course Number | Course Title |
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PSY 599 | Thesis |
PSY 799 | Dissertation |
PSY 592 | Research |
2018 Fall
Course Number | Course Title |
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PSY 591 | Seminar |