Education
- B.S. in Biology, 5/87, Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, PA.
- M.S. in Biology, 8/94, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA.
- Ph.D. in Biology, 8/99, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO.
Funding
Current
- Primary Investigator
National Institutes of Health “Mid-brain modulation of social attachment” 8/1/05-5/31/09 (R01 HD48462; Direct costs $415,000, Total costs $605,900)
Previous
- National Institutes of Health. “Mating and social attachment”, 3/02 – 2/05 (F32 HD40722)
- Sigma Xi, “Cardiovascular function in spiders” 5/97 - 5/98
- American Arachnological Society, “Control of cardiac function in spiders”, 2/97 - 2/98.
Co-investigator (Z. Wang PI)
- National Institutes of Health “Dopamine regulation of social attachment” 9/1/05-8/31/10 (R01 MH58616; Direct costs $800,000, Total cost: $1,148,076).
Pending
- National Institutes of Health “Mid-brain modulation of social attachment” (four years – total costs 1,060,000)
- Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST) “Pair-bonding and reward” (three years – 300,000 direct costs)
Positions Held
- Assistant Professor, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences (2007-present)
- Research Assistant Professor, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Oklahoma State University (2006-present)
- Assistant Scholar Scientist, Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University (2005-2006)
- Associate Faculty, Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University (2003-2006)
- Post-doctoral Fellow, Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University (2002-2003)
- Post-doctoral Researcher, Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University (1999-2002)
Publications
Peer reviewed research papers, reviews, and book chapters:
Sved, A.F., and J.T. Curtis. 1993. Amino acid neurotransmitters in nucleus tractus solitarius: An in vivo microdialysis study. Journal of Neurochemistry 61: 2089-2098.
Curtis, J.T. and J.E. Carrel. 1999. Social behavior by captive juvenile Kukulcania hibernalis (Araneae: Filistatidae). Bulletin of the British Arachnology Society 11: 241-246.
Curtis, J.T. and J.E. Carrel. 2000. Defecation behavior by Argiope aurantia. Bulletin of the British Arachnology Society 11: 339-342.
Curtis, J.T., Y. Liu, and Z.X. Wang. 2001. Lesions of the vomeronasal organ disrupt pair-bonding in female prairie voles. Brain Research 901: 167-174.
Liu, Y., J.T. Curtis and Z.X. Wang. 2001. Vasopressin in the lateral septum regulates pair bond formation in male prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster). Behavioral Neuroscience 115: 910-919.
Liu, Y., J.T. Curtis, C.D. Fowler, C. Spencer, T. Houpt, and Z.X. Wang. 2001. Differential expression of vasopressin, oxytocin, and corticotropin-releasing hormone messenger RNA in the paraventricular nucleus of the prairie vole brain following stress. Journal of Neuroendocrinology 13: 1059-1065
Aragona, B.J., J.T. Curtis, A.J. Davidson, Z.X. Wang, and F.K. Stephan. 2002. Behavioral and neurochemical investigation of circadian time-place learning in the rat. Journal of Biological Rhythms 17: 330-344.
Curtis, J.T. 2002. A blond coat color variation in Meadow Voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus). Journal of Heredity 93:209-210.
Curtis, J.T., J.R. Stowe, and Z.X. Wang. 2003. Differential effects of intraspecific interactions on the striatal dopamine system in social and non-social voles. Neuroscience 118:1165-1173.
Aragona, B.J., Y. Liu, J.T. Curtis, F.K. Stephan, and Z.X. Wang. 2003. A critical role for dopamine in pair bonding in male prairie voles. Journal of Neuroscience 23: 3483-3490.
Curtis, J.T., K. J. Berkley, and Z.X. Wang. 2003. Neuronal activation associated with mating in the caudal brainstem of voles. Neuroscience Letters 341: 115-118.
Curtis, J.T., and Z.X. Wang. 2003. Forebrain c-fos expression under conditions conducive to pair bonding in female prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster). Physiology and Behavior 80: 95-101.
Curtis, J.T. and Z.X. Wang. 2003. The neurochemistry of pair bonding. Current Directions in Psychological Sciences 12: 49-53.
Aragona B.J., J.T. Curtis, Y. Liu, and Z.X. Wang. 2004. Neural regulation of pair bond formation in a monogamous rodent species. Acta Theriologica Sinica 24: 160-172.
Curtis, J.T. and Z.X. Wang. 2005. Glucocorticoid receptor involvement in pair bonding: the effects of acute blockade and interactions with central dopamine "reward" systems. Neuroscience 134: 369-376.
Stowe J.R., Y. Liu, J.T. Curtis, M.E Freeman, and Z.X. Wang. 2005. Species differences in anxiety-related responses in male prairie and meadow voles: the effects of social isolation. Physiology and Behavior 86: 369-378.
Curtis, J.T. and Z.X. Wang. 2005. Ventral tegmental area involvement in pair bonding in prairie voles. Physiology and Behavior 86: 333-346.
Aragona, B.J., Y. Liu, Y.J. Yu, J.T. Curtis, and Z.X. Wang. 2006. Nucleus accumbens dopamine differentially mediates formation and maintenance of monogamous pair bonds. Nature Neuroscience 9: 133-139.
Smeltzer, M.D., J.T. Curtis, B.J. Aragona, and Z. Wang. 2006. Dopamine, oxytocin, and vasopressin receptor binding in the medial prefrontal cortex of monogamous and promiscuous voles. Neuroscience Letters 394: 146-151.
Curtis, J.T., Y. Liu, B.J. Aragona, and Z. Wang. 2006. Dopamine and monogamy. Brain Research 1126: 76-90.
Curtis, J.T., Y. Liu, B.J. Aragona, and Z.X. Wang. 2007. Neural regulation of social behavior in rodents. pp 184-195 in J. Wolff and P. Sherman (eds). Rodent Societies: An Ecological and Evolutionary Perspective. The University of Chicago Press.
Curtis, J.T. 2007. First record of Lesser Sand Plover (Charadrius mongolus) in Florida. Florida Field Naturalist. (in press)
Curtis, J.T. and Z. Wang. 2007. Amphetamine effects in Microtine rodents: a comparative study using monogamous and promiscuous vole species. Neuroscience (in press).
Collaborations in other fields
Burns, A.B., J.S. Brown, N. Sachs-Ericsson, E.A. Plant, J.T. Curtis, B.L. Fredrickson, T.E. Joiner. Positive emotion-coping upward spirals: replication, extension, and initial exploration of neurochemical substrates (in revision).
Joiner, T.E., J.S. Brown, A.B Burns, N. Sachs-Ericsson, E.A. Plant, J.T. Curtis, N.B. Schmidt. Physiological hyperarousal and subjective anxiety: differential associations to components of the tripartite model of depression and anxiety, status as a smoker, physical aggression, negative life events, and neurotransmitter metabolites. (in revision).
Published abstracts:
Whitcomb, D.C., J.T. Curtis, E.M. Stricker, and A.F. Sved. 1992. Peptide YY microinjected into the dorsal vagal complex inhibits centrally stimulated pancreatic secretion. Soc. Neurosci. Abstr. 18: 484.
Whitcomb, D.C., J.T. Curtis, A.M. Puccio, E.M. Stricker, and A.F. Sved. 1993. Ligand-receptor binding and physiological evidence for a new PYY receptor subtype in the dorsal vagal complex of the rat. Gastroenterology 104: A862.
Whitcomb, D.C., M. Yin, J.T. Curtis, A.M. Puccio, J. Reeve, and A.F. Sved. 1995. Centrally mediated pancreatic secretion is stimulated through the Y1 receptor and inhibited through the Y2 receptor. Gastroenterology 108: A400.
Whitcomb, D.C., J.T. Curtis, Y.B. Huh, A. Spanagle, and A.F. Sved. 1995. The effect of urethane anesthetic on basal pancreatic secretion in the rat after acute and chronic pancreatic duct cannulation. Gastroenterology 108: A401.
Sherman, T.G., J.T. Curtis, S. Ito and A.F. Sved. 1995. Measures of tyrosine hydroxylase protein synthesis and turnover in the rat locus coeruleus nucleus using pulse-radiolabeling paradigm. Soc. Neurosci. Abstr. 21: 1134.
Curtis, J.T., K. Berkley, and Z.X. Wang. 2000. Mating induces c-Fos expression in the gracile nucleus in prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster). Soc. Neurosci. Abst. 2038.
Aragona, B.J., J.T. Curtis, A.J. Davidson, Z.X. Wang, and F.K. Stephan. 2001. Brain neurotransmitter levels during and prior to food-anticipatory activity in rat. Hormones and Behavior 39: 309.
Curtis, J.T., Y. Liu, and Z.X. Wang. 2001. An intact vomeronasal organ is necessary for mating-induced pair bonding in female prairie voles. Hormones and Behavior 39: 311.
Liu, Y., J.T. Curtis, and Z.X. Wang. 2001. Pair bond formation in male prairie voles is regulated by vasopressin in the lateral septum. Hormones and Behavior 39: 311.
Curtis J.T., Z.X. Wang. 2001. Striatal dopamine in female prairie voles exposed to males. Soc. Neurosci. Abst. 27: Program Number 857.19.
Liu, Y., J.T. Curtis, C.D. Fowler, M. Meredith, Z.X. Wang. 2001. Chemosensory cues affect adult neurogenesis in female, but not male, prairie voles. Soc. Neurosci. Abst. 27: Program Number 587.4.
Aragona, B.J., J.T. Curtis, A.J. Davidson, Z.X. Wang, and F.K. Stephan. 2001. Circadian time and place learning in the rat. Soc. Neurosci. Abst. 27: Program Number 189.19.
Aragona B.J., Y. Liu, J.T. Curtis, F. K. Stephan, and Z.X. Wang. 2002. A critical role for dopamine in pair bonding in male prairie voles. Hormones and Behavior 41: 455.
Curtis, J.T., J.R. Stowe, and Z.X. Wang. 2002. Isolation differentially affects the striatal dopamine system in voles. Hormones and Behavior 41: 463.
Aragona, B.J., Y. Liu, J.T. Curtis, F.K. Stephan, and Z.X. Wang. 2002. Nucleus accumbens dopamine is critical for partner preference formation in male prairie voles. Soc. Neurosci. Abst. 28: Program Number 90.3.
Curtis, J.T., Y. Liu, and ZX.. Wang. 2002. Immunocytochemical visualization of p-CREB in vole brain. Soc. Neurosci. Abst. 28: Program Number 760.18.
Curtis, J.T. and Z.X. Wang. 2003. Does the ventral tegmental area play a role in pair bonding in voles? Soc. Neurosci. Abst. Abstract Viewer/Intinerary Planner Program #404.15, Washington DC.
Curtis, J.T. and Z.X. Wang. 2004. Acute glucocorticoid receptor blockade induces pair bonds in female prairie voles. Soc. Neurosci. Abst. Abstract Viewer/Intinerary Planner Program #215.8.
Wang Z.X., B.J. Aragona, Y. Liu, and J.T. Curtis. 2004. Dopamine and pair bonding in a monogamous rodent. Hormones and Behavior 46: 137.
Smeltzer, M.D., J.T. Curtis, B.J. Aragona, and Z. Wang. 2005. Oxytocin and dopamine receptor differences in the medial prefrontal cortex of monogamous and promiscuous voles. Hormones and Behavior 48: 128.
Curtis, J.T. and Z. Wang. 2005. Monogamous and non-monogamous voles differ in mesolimbic dopamine responses to amphetamine. Soc. Neurosci. Abst. Abstract Viewer/Intinerary Planner Program #420.10.
Smeltzer, M.D., J. T. Curtis, B.J. Aragona, and Z. Wang. 2005. Oxytocin and dopamine in the medial prefrontal cortex of prairie voles affect social attachment. Soc. Neurosci. Abst. Abstract Viewer/Intinerary Planner Program #420.9.
Curtis, K.S. and J.T. Curtis. 2005. Serotonin and non-hypotensive hypovolemia produced by polyethylene glycol. Soc. Neurosci. Abst. Abstract Viewer/Intinerary Planner Program #981.9.
Curtis, J.T. and Z. Wang. 2006. Amphetamine induction of pair bonds in monogamous male voles requires D1 dopamine receptor blockade. Soc. Neurosci. Abst. Abstract Viewer/Intinerary Planner Program #817.22.
Liu Y., J.T. Curtis, C.D. Fowler, M. Meredith, and Z.X. Wang. 2007. Chemosensory cues affect adult neurogenesis in the amygdala of prairie voles in a sex-specific manner. Society for Behavioral Neuroscience Abstract (in press)
Other:
Curtis, J.T. 1994. Changes in free amino acids in leaf litter during in-stream processing. M.S. Thesis, University of Pittsburgh.
Curtis, J.T. 1999. The angled web of Argiope aurantia. Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Missouri-Columbia.
Documented the first known occurrence of Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea) in the state of Missouri. Missouri Bird Records Committee file # 1998-70. 1998.
Documented the first known occurrence of Lesser Sand Plover (Charadrius mongolus) in the state of Florida. Florida Bird Records Committee record # 05-575. 2005.
Seminar presentations:
Florida State University, Fall 2005
University of Idaho, Spring 2006
Arizona State University, Spring 2006
Oklahoma State University – Center for Health Sciences, Fall 2006Oklahoma Society for Physiologists, Summer 2007
Photo Credits:
Illinois State Museum, Prairie Display
Mount Allison University, Biology Department lecture material image database
Exploring Human Sexuality. Simon LeVay and Sharon Valente (eds)
Missouri Fish and Wildlife Information System database
Cover art, Brain Research, Volume 1126
Service
Coordinator, Neuroscience Program Colloquium series, 2003-2006 (FSU).
Neuroscience Program Graduate Recruitment Committee, 2003-2005 (FSU).
Responsible for setting up and maintaining departmental HPLC core facility 2000-2006 (FSU).
Journal Editorial Board: Acta Theriologica Sinica, 2005-2009
Ad hoc reviewer for Journal of Neurobiology, Psychoneuroendocrinology, Hormones & Behavior, Physiology & Behavior, Physiological & Biochemical Zoology, Behavioral Neuroscience, Animal Behaviour,
Professional Societies
Society for Neuroscience
Oklahoma Society for Physiologists
Teaching
- Fall 92 - Teaching assistant, Introductory Biology Lab I, University of Pittsburgh
- Spring 93 - Teaching assistant, Introductory Biology Lab II, University of Pittsburgh
- Fall 93 - Teaching assistant, Ecology, University of Pittsburgh
- Fall 96 - Teaching assistant, Environmental Science, University of Missouri
- Fall 97 - Teaching assistant, Environmental Science, University of Missouri
- Spring 98 - Teaching assistant, Introductory Biology Lab, University of Missouri
- Fall 98 - Teaching assistant, Environmental Science, University of Missouri
- Spring 99 - Teaching assistant, Introductory Biology Lab, University of Missouri
- Fall 01,02 - Guest lecturer, Psychology Undergraduate Honors Section, Florida State University
- Spring 06, Fall 01 - Substitute for upper level undergraduate Hormones and Behavior, Florida State University
- Fall 03, 04, 05 - Guest lecturer, Ethical Conduct of Research, Florida State University
- Fall 04,05 - Guest lecturer, Molecules to Behavior, Florida State University
Relevant Experience
5/89-8/91 Electron Microscopist/Environmental Analyst, Detail Associates, Pittsburgh, PA.8/91-8/96 Research Associate, Dept. of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA.
Other Training:
A.S. in Data Processing, Community College of Beaver Co. Monaca, PA, 1984.
Quality Assurance of Chemical Measurements, Professional Analytical Services, Inc., 1990.
Advanced Transmission Electron Microscopy Asbestos Analysis, Georgia Institute of Technology, 1990.
Research Interests
My research revolves around the formation of pair bonds between adult prairie voles. Prairie voles are among the few mammalian species that form monogamous pair bonds and provide a tractable and well-characterized model for examining the neurobiological, endocrine, and behavioral processes that underlie the formation and maintenance of such bonds. Understanding these processes may provide insights into a variety of individual and societal ills such as autism, schizophrenia, child abuse, divorce, substance abuse, and eating disorders.
My own research is geared toward to answering two primary questions:
1. What are the neurobiological processes that underlie pair bonding and how do these processes interact with those that mediate the responses to rewarding stimuli? We recently have found that the brains of pair bonded voles differ from those of unpaired animals and that such differences are manifested by increases in aggression and by decreased sensitivity to substances such as amphetamine that activate central “reward” processing. I will be exploring these changes further by examining how repeated activation of reward pathways impacts the ability to form pair bonds and, conversely, how pair bonding affects responses to palatable tastes. The long-term goal is to gain an understanding of how social bonds may be “protective” against substance abuse, and how prior substance abuse may affect the ability to form meaningful social bonds. This line of research has reached the point where testable hypotheses appropriate for human studies are beginning to arise.
2. What are the evolutionary processes that led to a monogamous mating system? Prairie voles are one of a number of very closely related vole species that in many ways are virtually identical. However, species-specific mating systems range from obligate monogamy to total promiscuity. I am interested in ascertaining the ultimate mechanisms by which such differences arise. One intriguing possibility is that selective pressures associated with the need to conserve water led to changes in the synthesis, distribution, and release of the neuropeptides oxytocin and vasopressin that also are critical to pair bond formation. A second, but not mutually exclusive, possibility is that monogamous mating systems arose through changes in ontogeny; monogamous species may be neotenous relative to promiscuous species. This possibility has exciting implications for understanding the development of human mating systems since neoteny likely played a strong role in human evolution.
