LC modulation of the LC

Locus Coeruleus

This small noradrenergic nucleus is located in the pons and is critical for regulating arousal and wakefulness as well as numerous cognitive process including response to stress, attention, decision making and learning and memory.


Electrophysiology

We are combining single unit, field potential, and electrocorticogram recordings with behavioral tasks to understand the neurophysiological basis of cognition.

Computational Neuroscience

We are continuing to develop and refine statistical approaches to analyzing multiple simultaneous recordings as well as develop computer science based solutions for linking data warehousing and information management.

Concussion

We are studying the neurobiology underlying the cognitive deficits of concussion and mild traumatic brain injury.

Research Interests

Who we are

Our interests are to understand the modulation of individual neurons and distributed neural coding and its relation to cognitive and behavioral changes. These interactions are studied for both the rodent vibrissa somatosensory system and the frontostriatal system using a variety of pharmacological, brain stimulation, and behavioral techniques.

Methodologies

What we do

  • In Vivo Multi-Channel Recordings (Electrophysiology)
  • Microdialysis HPLC
  • Behavior
    • Rodent Tests of Working Memory
    • Conditioned Evoked Response Tasks
    • Sensory Detection/Discrimination
  • Computational Neuroscience
  • Immunohistochemistry