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We have a suite of four testing chambers in which monkeys are behaviorally assessed on a wide range of cognitive tasks that parallel those used in humans.
Our studies utilize a variety of MRI techniques, including structural MRI, functional MRI, and MR spectroscopy. A 3.0T Philips dedicated research magnet is
housed in the Evans Biomedical Center, connected directly to our research building.
We use antibodies directed at particular constituents to label neurons and glia to visualize specific cells in the neuropil. We use this technique to label
inflammatory markers, neurotransmitter-related compounds, metabolic markers, etc.
This technique is used to allow the demonstration of specific nucleic acid sequences in their cellular environment in the brain.
We routinely use this technique to measure conduction velocity and other parameters of neuronal conduction across or within the
cerebral hemisphere to supplement our study of the neurobiological basis of altered cognitive function in the primate.
We are working with new techniques such as cortical cooling and Transmagnetic Cranial Stimulation (TMS) to induce temporary dysfunction
of a specific cortical region. This allows one to "turn on " or "turn off " a particular region of the brain to assess its role in a given function or neuronal circuit.
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