Featured Publications
Reinforcement Learning during Adolescence in Rats
Afshar N, Keip AJ, Taylor JR, Lee D, Groman SM. Reinforcement Learning during Adolescence in Rats. Journal Of Neuroscience 2020, 40: 5857-5870. PMID: 32601244, PMCID: PMC7380962, DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0910-20.2020.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNovel behavioral protocolReversal-learning performanceAdaptive choice behaviorBehavioral protocolFemale Long-Evans ratsReversal performanceChoice behaviorLong-Evans ratsAdolescent brain functionAge-related improvementsReinforcement-learning mechanismsReversal-learning taskReversal-learning paradigmDecision-making paradigmReinforcement learning mechanismAdolescent ratsLongitudinal designAge-related changesNeurodevelopmental mechanismsAdolescencePositive outcomesBrain functionFunction of circuitsPostnatal day 30Adulthood
2009
Loss of dendrite stabilization by the Abl-related gene (Arg) kinase regulates behavioral flexibility and sensitivity to cocaine
Gourley SL, Koleske AJ, Taylor JR. Loss of dendrite stabilization by the Abl-related gene (Arg) kinase regulates behavioral flexibility and sensitivity to cocaine. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2009, 106: 16859-16864. PMID: 19805386, PMCID: PMC2742404, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0902286106.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDopamine D2 receptor levelsLocomotor depressant actionsD2 receptor levelsWild-type micePsychomotor stimulant actionDendritic simplificationAntagonist haloperidolStimulant actionCocaine exposureCortical axonsDendritic arborsReceptor levelsCocaine administrationSynaptic pruningDendrite stabilizationNeuropsychiatric disordersArg inhibitionMiceNormal sensitivityDendritic refinementCytoskeletal stabilizationCocaineAdolescenceReversal taskRhoA GTPase