Princeton University · PsychologyGould Lab
Elizabeth Gould · Princeton, New Jersey
Research Focus
The research lab led by Elizabeth Gould at Princeton University focuses on understanding how early life adversity and neurodevelopmental disorders like autism spectrum disorder affect brain function. The lab studies the roles of perineuronal nets, steroid hormones, and neuronal signaling in the hippocampus, which is crucial for social recognition and emotional regulation. By using advanced techniques on transgenic mouse models, they aim to uncover potential therapeutic targets that could help restore brain function and improve mental health outcomes.
autism spectrum disorderhippocampusneurodevelopmentperineuronal netssteroid hormonesbrain plasticityearly life adversitysocial recognitionmood disordersneurosteroids
Research Aims
5AIM 01Investigate the role of perineuronal nets in social recognition in mouse models of autism.
AIM 02Evaluate the impact of steroid hormones on hippocampal function after early life adversity.
AIM 03Normalize perineuronal nets in transgenic mice to restore social recognition.
AIM 04Examine how progesterone and allopregnanolone influence anxiety and memory after maternal separation.
AIM 05Analyze the structure and function of hippocampal circuits involved in social behavior.
Skills the Lab Values
RT-qPCRimmunohistochemistryin vivo electrophysiologyconfocal microscopybehavioral analysisviral manipulationpharmacological interventionmass spectrometrygene expression analysistransgenic mouse models
Output against the department
Publications320top 14% of dept.39th of 296
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations42ktop 4% of dept.13th of 296
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.