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Bernard A. Tarr

Graduate Student

  • B105 Uris Hall
  • Cornell University
  • Ithaca NY 14853-7601
    Office Hours:
    TR 3:30-4:30
    (Psychology 350 T.A.)

Interests

Using male Long-Evans rats as a model I previously studied the relationship between voluntary running and glutamate- and K+-stimulated dopamine release in the striatum (nucleus accumbens and caudate-putamen). Results: The average daily running distance was negatively correlated with K+-stimulated dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens core and caudate-putamen, but not the nucleus accumbens shell. Conclusions: This suggests decreased depolarization-induced release of striatal dopamine may be a predictor of hyperactivity, and some individuals may display some of the neurochemical and behavioral characteristics of a rat model for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Currently I study spatial learning and memory in Black-capped chickadees (Poecile atricapilla) - a scatter-hoarding bird. We have been studying the effect of captivity on the hippocampus in adult wild birds specifically. We have found that 6 weeks captivity causes a reduction in hippocampal volume of approximately 24%, but does not cause a reduction in size of the telencephalon, number, or density of new cells. We are currently studying the proximate nature and cause/s of hippocampal structural and functional change in adult wild food-storing birds as a result of captivity, to better understand the effects of stress, lack of hippocampal stimulation (food-storing), exercise and social-interaction on the hippocampus generally.

Behavior & Evolutionary Neuroscience

updated on Thursday, Aug 23 2007 @ 2:34pm


 
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211 Uris Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853 USA
Phone: (607) 255-3834 Fax: (607) 255-8433