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Bernard A Tarr bat24 @ cornell.edu B105 Uris Hall   [edit] Graduate Student associated with: Timothy J. DeVoogd Department: Psychology Field: Psychology Keywords: Behavioral Neuroscience (9), Birds (4), Cell and Molecular Neuroscience (23), Finch (4), Hippocampus (11), Immediate early genes (5), Learning and Memory (13), Neuroethology (24), Neurogenesis (7), Neuromodulation (12), Neurophysiology (5), Neurotransmitter receptors and transporters (9), Neurotransmitter release (3), Stress (8) Using male Long-Evans rats as a model, I previously studied the relationship between voluntary running and glutamate- and K+-stimulated dopamine release in the striatum (nucleus accumbens and caudate-putamen). Results: The average daily running distance was negatively correlated with K+-stimulated dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens core and caudate-putamen, but not the nucleus accumbens shell. Conclusions: This suggests decreased depolarization-induced release of striatal dopamine may be a predictor of hyperactivity, and some individuals may display some of the neurochemical and behavioral characteristics of a rat model for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Currently, I study spatial learning and memory in Black-capped chickadees (Poecile atricapilla) - a food hoarding bird. We have been studying the effect of captivity on the hippocampus, in adult birds specifically. We have found that 6 weeks captivity causes a reduction in hippocampal volume of approximately 24%, but does not cause a reduction in size of the telencephalon, number, or density of new neurons surviving(neurogenesis). We are currently studying the proximate nature and cause/s of hippocampal structural and functional change in adult wild food-storing birds as a result of captivity, to better understand the effects of stress, lack of hippocampal stimulation (food-storing activity), exercise, and social-interaction on the hippocampus.

Please report corrections, questions, comments, and problems to: Lori Miller (lmm8 AT cornell.edu)