Van A. Doze, Ph.D.
Project: Noradrenergic Regulation of Neurogenesis and Cognitive Function
Mentor: Van A. Doze, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Biomedical Sciences
Research Project: Norepinephrine (NE), an important neuromodulator in the brain, modulates cognitive function and synaptic plasticity. NE mediates its effects via activation of adrenergic receptors (ARs). We discovered that adult mice with chronically activated alpha1A-ARs exhibit significantly improved learning and memory, synaptic transmission, mood, and lifespan. In contrast, we found that mice lacking alpha1A-ARs have reduced cognitive function, mood, and lifespan. The mice with activated alpha1A-ARs also show increased neurogenesis in their hippocampi, an area of the brain critical for learning and memory. The molecular cues and genes regulating this process include a wide range of growth and survival factors, but a direct link between NE activity, gene regulation, and neurogenesis, has not been explored. This project will test the hypothesis that NE, through alpha1A-AR activation regulates differentiation and cell fate of neuronal and glial progenitors in the adult mouse brain, and subsequently enhances cognitive function. This project will characterize alpha1A-AR influences on adult mammalian neurogenesis and learning and memory. These results may have important implications for the treatment of certain neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and epilepsy.
Techniques: The SURF student will learn immunolabeling, stereology, behavioral studies, electrophysiology, transgenic methodology, and confocal imaging, as well as pharmacological principles, statistical analysis, and hypothesis testing. The student will also be exposed to literature on adrenergic pharmacology, adult neurogenesis, transgenics, and Alzheimer’s disease, as well as present research findings in posters and papers.
Student Independence: The SURF student will have independence to do experiments daily, with assistance as needed, and to analyze results for discussion with Dr. Doze. The student will be able to suggest experimental directions as dictated by findings and formulate new ideas.
