Amanda M. Dettmer, PhD
she/her/hers
Research Scientist in the Child Study Center; Co-Director, Developmental Science Summer Internship Program, Child Study Center: Research
Research & Publications
Biography
News
Research Summary
Dr. Dettmer researches early life factors that shape individual differences in development. She studies cognitive, social, and behavioral outcomes in both human and non-human primates. In humans, she is beginning to research how the school environment and after-school enrichment programs influence long-term hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity, measured via hair and nail cortisol. Dr. Dettmer served as a member of the Hartford City Council Universal Basic Income (UBI) Task Force, which is developing a pilot UBI program set to begin in early 2023. In nonhuman primates, Dr. Dettmer studies rhesus monkeys as models of child development. Here, she studies how prenatal and postnatal factors influence an individual's risk or resilience to chronic stress, and later health outcomes across the life course. Dr. Dettmer studies primates across the lifespan to understand intergenerational effects of early life experiences.
Coauthors
Research Interests
Behavior and Behavior Mechanisms; Mental Health; Neurobiology; Neuroendocrinology; Primates; Stress, Psychological; Resilience, Psychological; Biobehavioral Sciences; Interdisciplinary Research
Public Health Interests
Behavioral Health; Biomarkers; Maternal & Child Health; Mental Health; Child/Adolescent Health
Selected Publications
- Amniotic fluid cortisol predicts neonatal and infant development in non-stressed rhesus monkeys: Implications for prenatal stressOtridge J, Meyer J, Dettmer A. Amniotic fluid cortisol predicts neonatal and infant development in non-stressed rhesus monkeys: Implications for prenatal stress. Neurotoxicology And Teratology 2023, 100: 107308. PMID: 37890675, PMCID: PMC10872548, DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2023.107308.
- Nonverbal face‐to‐face interactions in macaques and humans: A translational pilot studyDettmer A, Bartz C, Rutherford H. Nonverbal face‐to‐face interactions in macaques and humans: A translational pilot study. Developmental Psychobiology 2023, 65: e22416. PMID: 37860898, DOI: 10.1002/dev.22416.
- Early life adversities and lifelong health outcomes: A review of the literature on large, social, long-lived nonhuman mammalsDettmer A, Chusyd D. Early life adversities and lifelong health outcomes: A review of the literature on large, social, long-lived nonhuman mammals. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews 2023, 152: 105297. PMID: 37391110, PMCID: PMC10529948, DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105297.
- Are hair cortisol levels dependent on hair growth rate? A pilot study in rhesus macaquesDettmer A, Novak M, Meyer J. Are hair cortisol levels dependent on hair growth rate? A pilot study in rhesus macaques. General And Comparative Endocrinology 2023, 340: 114308. PMID: 37244411, PMCID: PMC10330586, DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2023.114308.
- Human milk: From complex tailored nutrition to bioactive impact on child cognition and behaviorde Weerth C, Aatsinki AK, Azad MB, Bartol FF, Bode L, Collado MC, Dettmer AM, Field CJ, Guilfoyle M, Hinde K, Korosi A, Lustermans H, Shukri N, Moore SE, Pundir S, Rodriguez JM, Slupsky CM, Turner S, van Goudoever JB, Ziomkiewicz A, Beijers R. Human milk: From complex tailored nutrition to bioactive impact on child cognition and behavior. Critical Reviews In Food Science And Nutrition 2022, 63: 7945-7982. PMID: 35352583, DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2022.2053058.
- Early life adversity and males: Biology, behavior, and implications for fathers’ parentingCondon EM, Dettmer A, Baker E, McFaul C, Stover CS. Early life adversity and males: Biology, behavior, and implications for fathers’ parenting. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews 2022, 135: 104531. PMID: 35063493, PMCID: PMC9236197, DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104531.
- 100 Years of Comparative Psychology Advancing Practice, Policy, and the Public—and What the Future RequiresDettmer AM, Bennett AJ. 100 Years of Comparative Psychology Advancing Practice, Policy, and the Public—and What the Future Requires. Journal Of Comparative Psychology 2021, 135: 450-465. PMID: 34871010, DOI: 10.1037/com0000299.
- Behavioral and Hormonal Changes Following Social Instability in Young Rhesus Macaques (Macaca mulatta)Wooddell LJ, Kaburu SSK, Dettmer AM. Behavioral and Hormonal Changes Following Social Instability in Young Rhesus Macaques (Macaca mulatta). Journal Of Comparative Psychology 2021, 135: 568-580. PMID: 34726423, PMCID: PMC9454299, DOI: 10.1037/com0000297.
- New findings in immune epigenomics are a return on investmentDettmer AM. New findings in immune epigenomics are a return on investment. Brain Behavior And Immunity 2021, 99: 1-2. PMID: 34547399, DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2021.09.006.
- The Prefrontal Cortex in a Pandemic: Restoring Functions With System-, Family-, and Individual-Focused InterventionsArnsten AFT, Condon EM, Dettmer AM, Gee DG, Lee KS, Mayes LC, Stover CS, Tseng WL. The Prefrontal Cortex in a Pandemic: Restoring Functions With System-, Family-, and Individual-Focused Interventions. American Psychologist 2021, 76: 729-743. PMID: 33983754, PMCID: PMC8589866, DOI: 10.1037/amp0000823.
- Commentary: COVID-19 and mental health equity in the United StatesCondon EM, Dettmer AM, Gee DG, Hagan C, Lee KS, Mayes LC, Stover CS, Tseng WL. Commentary: COVID-19 and mental health equity in the United States. Frontiers In Sociology 2020, 5: 584390. PMID: 33869513, PMCID: PMC8022536, DOI: 10.3389/fsoc.2020.584390.
- Self-Regulation: A Skill for Success.Dettmer, A.M., Clinton, A., Mildon, H. 2020. Self-Regulation: A Skill for Success. In: Alfonso, V., DuPaul, G. (Eds), Promoting Healthy Growth and Development in Young Children: Bridging the Science-Practice Gap in Early Education, Washington, DC: American Psychological Association, pp 131-150.
- Impacts of early social experience on cognitive development in infant rhesus macaquesMurphy AM, Dettmer AM. Impacts of early social experience on cognitive development in infant rhesus macaques. Developmental Psychobiology 2019, 62: 895-908. PMID: 31531855, DOI: 10.1002/dev.21916.
- Dominance rank predicts social network position across developmental stages in rhesus monkeysWooddell LJ, Kaburu SSK, Dettmer AM. Dominance rank predicts social network position across developmental stages in rhesus monkeys. American Journal Of Primatology 2019, 82: e23024. PMID: 31240764, DOI: 10.1002/ajp.23024.
- A descriptive analysis of gut microbiota composition in differentially reared infant rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) across the first 6 months of lifeDettmer AM, Allen JM, Jaggers RM, Bailey MT. A descriptive analysis of gut microbiota composition in differentially reared infant rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) across the first 6 months of life. American Journal Of Primatology 2019, 81: e22969. PMID: 30941799, PMCID: PMC6774917, DOI: 10.1002/ajp.22969.
- Looking Back to Move Forward: A Retrospective Examination of Research at the Intersection of Cognitive Science and Education and What It Means for the Future.Higgins, E. J., Dettmer, A. M., & Albro, E. R. (2019). Looking Back to Move Forward: A Retrospective Examination of Research at the Intersection of Cognitive Science and Education and What It Means for the Future. Journal of Cognition and Development, 1-20.
- Interindividual differences in neonatal sociality and emotionality predict juvenile social status in rhesus monkeysWooddell LJ, Simpson EA, Murphy AM, Dettmer AM, Paukner A. Interindividual differences in neonatal sociality and emotionality predict juvenile social status in rhesus monkeys. Developmental Science 2018, 22: e12749. PMID: 30171780, PMCID: PMC10519424, DOI: 10.1111/desc.12749.
- Sex and rank affect how infant rhesus macaques look at facesPaukner A, Slonecker EM, Murphy AM, Wooddell LJ, Dettmer AM. Sex and rank affect how infant rhesus macaques look at faces. Developmental Psychobiology 2017, 60: 187-193. PMID: 29165801, PMCID: PMC5815906, DOI: 10.1002/dev.21579.
- Rank acquisition in rhesus macaque yearlings following permanent maternal separation: The importance of the social and physical environmentWooddell LJ, Kaburu SSK, Murphy AM, Suomi SJ, Dettmer AM. Rank acquisition in rhesus macaque yearlings following permanent maternal separation: The importance of the social and physical environment. Developmental Psychobiology 2017, 59: 863-875. PMID: 28833057, PMCID: PMC5630511, DOI: 10.1002/dev.21555.
- Relationships between affiliative social behavior and hair cortisol concentrations in semi-free ranging rhesus monkeysWooddell LJ, Hamel AF, Murphy AM, Byers KL, Kaburu SSK, Meyer JS, Suomi SJ, Dettmer AM. Relationships between affiliative social behavior and hair cortisol concentrations in semi-free ranging rhesus monkeys. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2017, 84: 109-115. PMID: 28700960, PMCID: PMC5555374, DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2017.06.018.
- Elo-rating for Tracking Rank Fluctuations after Demographic Changes Involving Semi-free-ranging Rhesus Macaques (Macaca mulatta).Wooddell LJ, Kaburu SS, Suomi SJ, Dettmer AM. Elo-rating for Tracking Rank Fluctuations after Demographic Changes Involving Semi-free-ranging Rhesus Macaques (Macaca mulatta). Journal Of The American Association For Laboratory Animal Science 2017, 56: 260-268. PMID: 28535861, PMCID: PMC5438919.
- Cortisol in Neonatal Mother's Milk Predicts Later Infant Social and Cognitive Functioning in Rhesus MonkeysDettmer AM, Murphy AM, Guitarra D, Slonecker E, Suomi SJ, Rosenberg KL, Novak MA, Meyer JS, Hinde K. Cortisol in Neonatal Mother's Milk Predicts Later Infant Social and Cognitive Functioning in Rhesus Monkeys. Child Development 2017, 89: 525-538. PMID: 28369689, PMCID: PMC6528802, DOI: 10.1111/cdev.12783.
- Correction: Matrilineal Behavioral and Physiological Changes following the Removal of a Non-Alpha Matriarch in Rhesus Macaques (Macaca mulatta)Wooddell LJ, Kaburu SS, Rosenberg KL, Meyer JS, Suomi SJ, Dettmer AM. Correction: Matrilineal Behavioral and Physiological Changes following the Removal of a Non-Alpha Matriarch in Rhesus Macaques (Macaca mulatta). PLOS ONE 2016, 11: e0167739. PMID: 27902783, PMCID: PMC5130258, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0167739.
- The Signature of Maternal Social Rank in Placenta Deoxyribonucleic Acid Methylation Profiles in Rhesus MonkeysMassart R, Suderman MJ, Nemoda Z, Sutti S, Ruggiero AM, Dettmer AM, Suomi SJ, Szyf M. The Signature of Maternal Social Rank in Placenta Deoxyribonucleic Acid Methylation Profiles in Rhesus Monkeys. Child Development 2016, 88: 900-918. PMID: 27739069, PMCID: PMC6528796, DOI: 10.1111/cdev.12640.
- Early life adversity alters normal sex-dependent developmental dynamics of DNA methylationMassart R, Nemoda Z, Suderman MJ, Sutti S, Ruggiero AM, Dettmer AM, Suomi SJ, Szyf M. Early life adversity alters normal sex-dependent developmental dynamics of DNA methylation. Development And Psychopathology 2016, 28: 1259-1272. PMID: 27687908, PMCID: PMC6590057, DOI: 10.1017/s0954579416000833.
- Neonatal face-to-face interactions promote later social behaviour in infant rhesus monkeysDettmer AM, Kaburu SS, Simpson EA, Paukner A, Sclafani V, Byers KL, Murphy AM, Miller M, Marquez N, Miller GM, Suomi SJ, Ferrari PF. Neonatal face-to-face interactions promote later social behaviour in infant rhesus monkeys. Nature Communications 2016, 7: 11940. PMID: 27300086, PMCID: PMC4911675, DOI: 10.1038/ncomms11940.
- Rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) with self‐injurious behavior show less behavioral anxiety during the human intruder testPeterson EJ, Worlein JM, Lee GH, Dettmer AM, Varner EK, Novak MA. Rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) with self‐injurious behavior show less behavioral anxiety during the human intruder test. American Journal Of Primatology 2016, 79: 1-8. PMID: 27286311, PMCID: PMC7652060, DOI: 10.1002/ajp.22569.
- Matrilineal Behavioral and Physiological Changes following the Death of a Non-Alpha Matriarch in Rhesus Macaques (Macaca mulatta)Wooddell LJ, Kaburu SS, Rosenberg KL, Meyer JS, Suomi SJ, Dettmer AM. Matrilineal Behavioral and Physiological Changes following the Death of a Non-Alpha Matriarch in Rhesus Macaques (Macaca mulatta). PLOS ONE 2016, 11: e0157108. PMID: 27275743, PMCID: PMC4898773, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0157108.
- Associations between early life experience, chronic HPA axis activity, and adult social rank in rhesus monkeysDettmer AM, Wooddell LJ, Rosenberg KL, Kaburu SS, Novak MA, Meyer JS, Suomi SJ. Associations between early life experience, chronic HPA axis activity, and adult social rank in rhesus monkeys. Social Neuroscience 2016, 12: 92-101. PMID: 27063359, PMCID: PMC6528805, DOI: 10.1080/17470919.2016.1176952.
- The well‐being of laboratory non‐human primatesBaker KC, Dettmer AM. The well‐being of laboratory non‐human primates. American Journal Of Primatology 2016, 79: 1-5. PMID: 26748823, PMCID: PMC4936960, DOI: 10.1002/ajp.22520.
- Developmental Complexity: Modeling Social Inequalities in Young Children and Macaques.Boyce, T.W., Riolo, R., Suomi, S.J., Brooks-Gunn, J., Groscurth, K., Cherng, S., Gardner, M., Low, B.S., Dettmer, A.M., Simon, C.P. 2016. Developmental Complexity: Modeling Social Inequalities in Young Children and Macaques. In: Kaplan, G.A. (Ed), Growing Inequality: Bridging Complex Systems, Population Health, and Health Disparities. Washington, DC: Westphalia Press, pp 41-80.
- First‐time rhesus monkey mothers, and mothers of sons, preferentially engage in face‐to‐face interactions with their infantsDettmer AM, Kaburu SS, Byers KL, Murphy AM, Soneson E, Wooddell LJ, Suomi SJ. First‐time rhesus monkey mothers, and mothers of sons, preferentially engage in face‐to‐face interactions with their infants. American Journal Of Primatology 2015, 78: 238-246. PMID: 26581804, PMCID: PMC6528797, DOI: 10.1002/ajp.22503.
- Relationship between prenatal cortisol exposure and behavioral development in macaque monkeysMeyer J, Grant K, Burbacher T, Worlein J, Kenney C, Dettmer A, Suomi S, Hamel A, Rosenberg K, Novak M. Relationship between prenatal cortisol exposure and behavioral development in macaque monkeys. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2015, 61: 30-31. DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2015.07.473.
- Differential relationships between chronic hormone profiles in pregnancy and maternal investment in rhesus monkey mothers with hair loss in the neonatal periodDettmer AM, Rosenberg K, Menard MT, El‐Mallah S, Woodward RA, Suomi SJ, Meyer JS. Differential relationships between chronic hormone profiles in pregnancy and maternal investment in rhesus monkey mothers with hair loss in the neonatal period. American Journal Of Primatology 2015, 79: 1-8. PMID: 26496532, PMCID: PMC6528798, DOI: 10.1002/ajp.22489.
- Associations between Parity, Hair Hormone Profiles during Pregnancy and Lactation, and Infant Development in Rhesus Monkeys (Macaca mulatta)Dettmer AM, Rosenberg KL, Suomi SJ, Meyer JS, Novak MA. Associations between Parity, Hair Hormone Profiles during Pregnancy and Lactation, and Infant Development in Rhesus Monkeys (Macaca mulatta). PLOS ONE 2015, 10: e0131692. PMID: 26172048, PMCID: PMC4501543, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0131692.
- Development of a cognitive testing apparatus for socially housed mother‐peer‐reared infant rhesus monkeysDettmer AM, Murphy AM, Suomi SJ. Development of a cognitive testing apparatus for socially housed mother‐peer‐reared infant rhesus monkeys. Developmental Psychobiology 2015, 57: 349-355. PMID: 25782609, PMCID: PMC4380797, DOI: 10.1002/dev.21285.
- Reproductive consequences of a matrilineal overthrow in rhesus monkeysDettmer AM, Woodward RA, Suomi SJ. Reproductive consequences of a matrilineal overthrow in rhesus monkeys. American Journal Of Primatology 2014, 77: 346-352. PMID: 25382028, PMCID: PMC4334670, DOI: 10.1002/ajp.22350.
- Nonhuman Primate Models of Mental HealthDettmer A, Suomi S, Hinde K. Nonhuman Primate Models of Mental Health. 2014, 42-58. DOI: 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199964253.003.0004.
- Quantitative Genetics of Response to Novelty and Other Stimuli by Infant Rhesus Macaques (Macaca mulatta) Across Three Behavioral AssessmentsFawcett GL, Dettmer AM, Kay D, Raveendran M, Higley JD, Ryan ND, Cameron JL, Rogers J. Quantitative Genetics of Response to Novelty and Other Stimuli by Infant Rhesus Macaques (Macaca mulatta) Across Three Behavioral Assessments. International Journal Of Primatology 2014, 35: 325-339. PMID: 24701001, PMCID: PMC3970820, DOI: 10.1007/s10764-014-9750-z.
- Population density-dependent hair cortisol concentrations in rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta)Dettmer AM, Novak MA, Meyer JS, Suomi SJ. Population density-dependent hair cortisol concentrations in rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta). Psychoneuroendocrinology 2014, 42: 59-67. PMID: 24636502, PMCID: PMC3959662, DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2014.01.002.
- Nonhuman Primate Models of Mental Health.Dettmer, A.M., Suomi, S.J., Hinde, K. 2014. Nonhuman Primate Models of Mental Health. In: Narvaez, D., Valentino, K., Fuentes, A., McKenna, J.J., Gray, P. (Eds), Ancestral Landscapes in Human Evolution. New York: Oxford University Press, pp 42-58.
- Nonhuman Primate Models of Neuropsychiatric Disorders: Influences of Early Rearing, Genetics, and EpigeneticsDettmer AM, Suomi SJ. Nonhuman Primate Models of Neuropsychiatric Disorders: Influences of Early Rearing, Genetics, and Epigenetics. ILAR Journal 2014, 55: 361-370. PMID: 25225312, DOI: 10.1093/ilar/ilu025.
- Stress, the HPA axis, and nonhuman primate well-being: A reviewNovak MA, Hamel AF, Kelly BJ, Dettmer AM, Meyer JS. Stress, the HPA axis, and nonhuman primate well-being: A review. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 2013, 143: 135-149. PMID: 23459687, PMCID: PMC3580872, DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2012.10.012.
- Physical activity is linked to ceruloplasmin in the striatum of intact but not MPTP-treated primatesLeak RK, Garbett KA, Dettmer AM, Zhang Z, Mirnics K, Cameron JL. Physical activity is linked to ceruloplasmin in the striatum of intact but not MPTP-treated primates. Cell And Tissue Research 2012, 350: 401-407. PMID: 22940761, PMCID: PMC3779886, DOI: 10.1007/s00441-012-1488-3.
- The Integrative Biology of Reproductive Functioning in Nonhuman PrimatesDettmer AM. The Integrative Biology of Reproductive Functioning in Nonhuman Primates. American Journal Of Primatology 2012, 75: 197-201. PMID: 22826005, DOI: 10.1002/ajp.22054.
- Discrimination Reversal Learning in Infant Primates Exposed to Low-Dose Thimerosal: A Pilot StudyHewitson L, Houser L, Dettmer A, Sackett G. Discrimination Reversal Learning in Infant Primates Exposed to Low-Dose Thimerosal: A Pilot Study. Neurotoxicology And Teratology 2011, 33: 501. DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2011.05.036.
- Physiological and behavioral adaptation to relocation stress in differentially reared rhesus monkeys: Hair cortisol as a biomarker for anxiety-related responsesDettmer AM, Novak MA, Suomi SJ, Meyer JS. Physiological and behavioral adaptation to relocation stress in differentially reared rhesus monkeys: Hair cortisol as a biomarker for anxiety-related responses. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2011, 37: 191-199. PMID: 21715101, PMCID: PMC3196800, DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2011.06.003.
- Effects of shampoo and water washing on hair cortisol concentrationsHamel AF, Meyer JS, Henchey E, Dettmer AM, Suomi SJ, Novak MA. Effects of shampoo and water washing on hair cortisol concentrations. Clinica Chimica Acta 2010, 412: 382-385. PMID: 21034727, PMCID: PMC3023988, DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2010.10.019.
- Sensitivity to stress-induced reproductive dysfunction is associated with a selective but not a generalized increase in activity of the adrenal axisHerod SM, Dettmer AM, Novak MA, Meyer JS, Cameron JL. Sensitivity to stress-induced reproductive dysfunction is associated with a selective but not a generalized increase in activity of the adrenal axis. AJP Endocrinology And Metabolism 2010, 300: e28-e36. PMID: 20959528, PMCID: PMC3023200, DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00223.2010.
- Hair cortisol predicts object permanence performance in infant rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)Dettmer AM, Novak MF, Novak MA, Meyer JS, Suomi SJ. Hair cortisol predicts object permanence performance in infant rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). Developmental Psychobiology 2009, 51: 706-713. PMID: 19771550, PMCID: PMC2797997, DOI: 10.1002/dev.20405.
- Surrogate mobility and orientation affect the early neurobehavioral development of infant rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)Dettmer AM, Ruggiero AM, Novak MA, Meyer JS, Suomi SJ. Surrogate mobility and orientation affect the early neurobehavioral development of infant rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). Developmental Psychobiology 2008, 50: 418-422. PMID: 19810188, PMCID: PMC2762640, DOI: 10.1002/dev.20296.
- Growth and developmental outcomes of three high‐risk infant rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)Dettmer AM, Houser LA, Ruppenthal GC, Capuano S, Hewitson L. Growth and developmental outcomes of three high‐risk infant rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). American Journal Of Primatology 2007, 69: 503-518. PMID: 17294436, DOI: 10.1002/ajp.20349.