Email: somoore@med.unc.edu

Phone: (919) 843-8260

Education:

B.A., Psychology, Wright State University
M.A., Psychology (Biopsychology), Wayne State University
Ph.D., Psychology (Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience), Wayne State University
Postdoctoral Fellowship, Teratology and Neuroimaging, University of North Carolina

Summary Statement:

Dr. O’Leary-Moore’s research is focused on investigating the pathological consequences of early, stage-dependent prenatal ethanol exposure.  Employing a well-established mouse model of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) in conjunction with high-resolution neuroimaging techniques [magnetic resonance microscopy (MRM) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI)], her recent studies have illustrated patterns of brain dysmorphia that are remarkably similar to those seen in individuals with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). This includes significant damage to the corpus callosum, hippocampus, fimbria, and cingulum.  Recognizing the translational potential of this line of investigation, her basic research at the Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies is currently directed towards expanding the characterization of the neurobehavioral consequences and associated structural abnormalities that result from early teratogenic ethanol insult. The finding that ethanol exposure limited to a time in gestation when many women remain unaware that they are pregnant is of significant clinical importance and highlights the need for continued education-directed prevention efforts.

Representative Publications:

1. O’Leary-Moore, SK, Parnell, SE, Godin, EA, & Sulik, KK (2011) Magnetic Resonance Based Studies of FASD Animal Models. Alcohol Research and Health. NIAAA.

2. O’Leary-Moore, S.K., Parnell, S.E., Lipinski, R.J., Sulik, K.K. (2011) Magnetic resonance-based imaging in animal models of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Neuropsych Review, 21(2), 167-85. PMID: 21445552.

3. Godin EA, Dehart DB, Parnell SE, O'Leary-Moore SK, Sulik KK, (2010) Ventromedian Forebrain Dysgenesis Follows Early Prenatal Ethanol Exposure in Mice.  Neurotoxicol Teratol, 33(2), 231-239. PMID-21074610.

4. Godin, EA, O’Leary-Moore, SK, Khan, AA, Ament, JJ, Dehart, DB, Johnson, BW, Johnson, GA, Styner, MA & Sulik, KK (2010) Magnetic Resonance Microscopy Defines Ethanol-Induced Brain Abnormalities in Prenatal Mice: Effects of Acute Insult on Gestational Day 7.  Alcohol Clin Exp Res, 34(1): 98-111. PMID: 19860813.

5. O’Leary-Moore, SK, Parnell, SE, Godin, EA, Dehart, DB, Johnson, GA, Styner, MA, Sulik, KK (2010) Magnetic Resonance Microscopy-Based Analyses of the Brains of Normal and Ethanol-Exposed Fetal Mice. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 88(11), 953-64.  PMID: 20842647.

6. Sulik, K.K., O’Leary-Moore, SK, Godin, EA, & Parnell, SE (2010) Normal and abnormal embryogenesis of the mammalian brain. In P. Preece and E. Riley (Eds.), Drugs in Pregnancy -The Price for the Child (In press). London, England: MacKeith Press.

7. Lipinski, RJ, Godin, EA, O’Leary-Moore, SK, Parnell, SE, & Sulik, KK (2010) Genesis of Teratogen-induced Holoprosencephaly in Mice. Am J of Med Gen Part C: Seminars in Medical Genetics, 154C(1):29-42. PMID: 20104601.

8.  Parnell, SE, O'Leary-Moore, SK, Godin, EA, Dehart, DB, Johnson, BJ, Johnson, GA, Styner, MA, Sulik, KK (2009)  Magnetic Resonance Microscopy Defines Ethanol-Induced Brain Abnormalities In Prenatal Mice: Effects Of Acute Insult On Gestational Day 8. Alcoholism: Clin & Exp Res 33(6), 1001-11. PMID: 19302087.