The University of Iowa has a long tradition as a leading center for study of the nervous system and behavior, and for the training of graduate students in this area.
The interdisciplinary program in neuroscience promotes interaction among faculty, post-doctoral fellows, and graduate students, and fosters a congenial and collaborative environment for investigating the structure and function of the nervous system and its role in determining behavior.
“I came to Iowa from the east coast because I wanted to learn cutting-edge approaches to studying complex human behaviors, from investigators with a proven track record in cognitive neuroscience, in a supportive and extremely collaborative environment.”
UI team develops new way to look at brain function
University of Iowa neuroscientist John Wemmieis interested in the effect of acid in the brain (not that kind of acid!). His studies suggest that increased acidity—or low pH—in the brain is linked to panic disorders, anxiety, and depression.
Scientists at the University of Iowa are studying brain development in adolescent children who have a genetic risk for developing alcohol use-related problems due to having a family history of alcoholism.
Researchers have long known that alcoholism and substance use disorders have a strong genetic basis, and children of alcoholic parents have a much greater likelihood of later developing a substance use disorder themselves.