Migraine headache is one of the most debilitating disorders in the world and treatments are insufficient. The Sowers laboratory studies the neurocircuitry underlying migraine and post-traumatic headache. Our preclinical laboratory focuses heavily on the sensory abnormalities associated with migraine and post-traumatic headache, including photophobia, spontaneous pain and touch hypersensitivity. Our lab’s research uses functional MRI, optogenetic and DREADD approaches to better understand the circuits contributing to those sensory abnormalities. We recently identified the deep cerebellar nuclei as possible sensory integration centers underlying sensory abnormalities in migraine. We are a VA associated lab and part of the VA Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Visual Loss with a special emphasis on Veteran related problems in headache. Post-traumatic headache is similar to migraine and affects about 50% of Veterans who saw combat in war zones. Our hope is to one day identify brain regions that can be manipulated in humans to treat headache. Our promotion of a multi-disciplinary and collaborative approach to tackle these important questions in headache medicine offers trainees room to grow and become wonderful independent scientists.
Dr. Sowers was recently featured in Medicine Iowa, a publication of University of Iowa Healthcare featuring stories of research and education at Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine. View the article here: https://medicineiowa.org/fall-2025/levi-sowers-shedding-light-migraine-and-post-traumatic-headache
Iowa Neuroscience Institute Events
Iowa Neuroscience Institute Seminar: Michael Yassa, PhD
Seminar Title TBD
Michael Yassa, PhD
Professor, Neurobiology and Behavior
James L. McGaugh Endowed Chair in the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory
Professor, Psychiatry and Human Behavior
Professor, Neurology
Director, Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory
Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Charlie Dunlop School of Biological Sciences
University of California, Irvine
Iowa Neuroscience Institute seminars feature top neuroscientists from around the country sharing their latest...
Biology Seminar: "A live look at building and rebuilding neuronal circuitry"
Neuroscience & Pharmacology Seminar - Michelle Mazei-Robison, PhD
Novel molecular mechanisms induced in the ventral tegmental area by drugs of abuse
Michelle S. Mazei-Robison, PhD
Professor and Associate Chair
Department of Physiology
Michigan State University
Neuroscience and Pharmacology Seminar - Habibeh Khoshbouei, PhD
Midbrain dopamine neuronal activity modulates splenic immunity via a brain–body circuit
Habibeh Khoshbouei, PhD
Professor and Vice Chair of Research
Department of Neuroscience
University of Florida College of Medicine
Neuroscience and Pharmacology Seminar - Vadim Bolshakov, PhD
Neuropeptide-mediated gating of innate fear circuits
Vadim Bolshakov, PhD
Professor, Harvard Medical School
Director, Cellular Neurobiology Laboratory, McLean Hospital
Carver College of Medicine Events
Iowa Neuroscience Institute Seminar: Michael Yassa, PhD
Seminar Title TBD
Michael Yassa, PhD
Professor, Neurobiology and Behavior
James L. McGaugh Endowed Chair in the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory
Professor, Psychiatry and Human Behavior
Professor, Neurology
Director, Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory
Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Charlie Dunlop School of Biological Sciences
University of California, Irvine
Iowa Neuroscience Institute seminars feature top neuroscientists from around the country sharing their latest...
Women In Micro & Immuno Coffee Hour
Join us for the Women in Micro & Immuno Coffee Hour. It is the monthly coffee hour on the second Monday of the month from 11 a.m. to noon in 1289 CBRB. Enjoy coffee, pastries and contribute to the discussion!
This is open to ALL — students, staff, postdocs, and faculty interested in promoting women in science.
Speakers change monthly. Contact: jessica-tucker@uiowa.edu for details.
Neuroscience & Pharmacology Seminar - Michelle Mazei-Robison, PhD
Novel molecular mechanisms induced in the ventral tegmental area by drugs of abuse
Michelle S. Mazei-Robison, PhD
Professor and Associate Chair
Department of Physiology
Michigan State University
REDCap Basic Training
This is the first step in the REDCap training series. In this training, we will build a new REDCap project from scratch and cover basic features such as:
• Building forms with proper field types and validation
• Assigning user permissions
• Project backup and overview with data dictionary, codebook, pdf, and xml
• Ensuring your project works properly by testing with real world application
• Making mid-study modifications safely after having started data collection in production
• Creating...
Neuroscience and Pharmacology Seminar - Habibeh Khoshbouei, PhD
Midbrain dopamine neuronal activity modulates splenic immunity via a brain–body circuit
Habibeh Khoshbouei, PhD
Professor and Vice Chair of Research
Department of Neuroscience
University of Florida College of Medicine