Sierra Nevada Aquatic Research Laboratory

20 May, 02 PM - 30 Jun, 01 AM

Adrenal hormones (glucocorticoids) regulate the body’s responses to stress, but also influence cognition. Glucocorticoids can either improve or impair memory formation and retrieval, depending on the severity and length of stress. Despite extensive research on the effects of these hormones on cognition in laboratory rodents, little is known about how glucocorticoids influence biologically relevant learning by animals in natural contexts. This information has clinical applications because high levels of glucocorticoids are associated with depression, Alzheimer’s disease and addiction behaviors, and because synthetic glucocorticoids are often prescribed for people with arthritis or adrenal dysfunctioning. Knowledge how long-term changes in glucocorticoids influence learning and memory would aid in the development of pharmacological treatments for such patients. The proposed studies extend this body of research to investigations of learning and memory in a free-living animal model, Belding’s ground squirrels (Spermophilus beldingi). In particular, these studies will focus on the role of glucocorticoids in enhancing or impairing the development of anti-predator behaviors, and whether variation in glucocorticoids early in development has long-term effects on adult behaviors. Many of the studies will use non-invasive fecal hormone assays to monitor adrenal functioning. This research will enhance our understanding of both the mechanisms underlying cognition as well as the ecological and developmental factors that influence it. In addition, the development of species-typical behaviors, especially those critical to survival, has been a relatively unexplored area of learning and memory, and this research will provide a rare example of how adrenal functioning affects cognition in freely behaving, outbred animals. My research on captive S. beldingi will be conducted at the Sierra Nevada Aquatic Research Laboratory, primarily in the semi-natural enclosures built there for observations of ground squirrels. I will also study free-living animals at a site within the Lower Horse Corral, Rock Creek Canyon, Mono Co., CA and other sites around Mammoth Lakes, CA.

Visit #1179 @Sierra Nevada Aquatic Research Laboratory

Approved

Under Project # 997 | Research

University of Chicago - Institute for Mind and Biology

faculty - University of Chicago

Reservation Members(s)

Group of 4 Research Assistant (non-student/faculty/postdoc) May 20 - Jun 30, 2003 (42 days)
Jill Mateo May 20 - Jun 30, 2003 (42 days)

Reserve Resources(s) | Create Invoice

Q1 5 May 20 - Jun 30, 2003