research field
Learning, Cognition and Memory
Learning, Cognitive and Memory focus on the intricate mechanisms of information encoding, consolidation, and retrieval. Investigating these neural pathways is fundamental for developing therapeutic interventions for neurodegenerative pathologies such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
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By quantifying how animal models acquire knowledge and exhibit plasticity, researchers can bridge the gap in clinical understanding. Given the multifaceted nature of cognition, a robust battery of specialized behavioral assays is essential for precise phenotypic classification.
Widely used behavioral assay for assessing learning and memory in rodents, relying on their natural tendency to spend more time exploring a new object compared to a familiar one.
Essential behavioral assays used in neuroscience to evaluate cognitive functions in rodents, focusing on spatial working memory, reference memory, and learning.
Behavioral paradigm in rodents that assesses associative learning and memory by pairing a neutral conditioned stimulus (such as a tone or context) with an aversive unconditioned stimulus (usually a mild foot shock).
Behavioral paradigm used to measure the rewarding or aversive effects of stimuli, such as drugs, food, or social interaction, in animals.
"Gold standard" behavioral task used in neuroscience to study spatial learning and hippocampus-dependent memory, primarily in rodents.
Behavioral, dry-land navigation test used in neuroscience to evaluate spatial learning and memory in rodents (mice/rats).Â
Fear-motivated behavioral paradigms used to assess learning, memory, and cognitive function in rodents, often utilizing shock-based conditioning to study memory consolidation.