Image analysis program, microtome and operant chambers for investigating effects of hormones on cognition and brain

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

This equipment grant would allow me to purchase equipment that will greatly enhance my research productivity and program. I am requesting funds to purchase equipment to allow faster collection of learning data and equipment to allow for analysis of brain tissue. We are studying the effects of sex and stress hormones on memory and on how they affect the brain. The powerful effects of hormones are evidenced by major life events, such as puberty, pregnancy and menopause, which are in part orchestrated by sex and stress hormones. Hormones do not act uniformly on all types of memory, for example high levels of estrogens impair reference memory ( long-term stable memory) but not working memory (shorter-term changing memory). Using the operant chambers we will be able to test a variety of learning paradigms in a fast and efficient way. This equipment will greatly enhance our productivity and the quality of our research. In addition, the use of a new microtome (to slice brain tissue) and image analysis system (to efficiently and quickly analyse brain tissue) will aid us in determining where and how these hormones are effecting the structure of the brain. For example we study how hormones affect the number and shape of dendritic spines, which are located on neurons, (principle brain cells). Spines are a way of visualizing the excitatory communication between neurons. The equipment in this proposal is essential to the timely completion of our research, which will aid in understanding how and where hormones affect behaviour.