Effects of Drugs on Cognition-Related Brain Wave Signals in the Rat

Summary In this project, signals related to cognitiveprocessing, including gamma frequency oscillations and place cells will be recorded with microelectrodearrays. The effects of antipsychotic drugs and some related compounds, including potassium and sodiumchannel modulators, will be examined

Project Details

It is increasingly recognised that the rhythmic signals recorded with the electroencephalogram (EEG), or“brain waves” are not just the “noise” of neural activity, but are probably frequency specific channels throughwhich cognition related signalling occurs, including memory encoding. High frequency (“gamma”) brainwave activity has been associated with cognitive activity in humans and animals, and is disrupted inpsychosis and schizophrenia.A largely neglected area of study in this area is the role of voltage-gated ion channels that have a significantrole in the generation of neuronal and network rhythmicity. In this project, signals related to cognitiveprocessing, including gamma frequency oscillations and place cells will be recorded with microelectrodearrays. The effects of antipsychotic drugs and some related compounds, including potassium and sodiumchannel modulators, will be examined