The anatomical and behavioural correlates of experience

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dc.contributor.authorComeau, Wendy L.
dc.contributor.authorUniversity of Lethbridge. Faculty of Arts and Science
dc.contributor.supervisorKolb, Bryan
dc.date.accessioned2016-02-24T21:14:59Z
dc.date.available2016-02-24T21:14:59Z
dc.date.issued2007
dc.degree.levelPh.Den_US
dc.descriptionxix, 319 leaves: illustrations ; 29 cm
dc.description.abstractThe effects of experience on developing and mature prefrontal brain circuitry and behaviour were investigated in rats using Ritalin, complex housing, and learning as tools. The results showed that Ritalin altered prefrontal cortical (PFC) circuitry and produced abnormal play behaviour and cognitive deficits into adulthood. Moreover, early stimulant exposure inhibited the robust anatomical changes typical after complex housing, demonstrating that early drug experience compromised cortical plasticity. Ritalin also altered adult PFC circuitry, but without enduring behavioural effects. Thus, it appeared that the mature brain was better able to compensate under adverse conditions. Nonetheless, novel experiences altered adult PFC circuitry with individual tasks producing unique patterns of change. Therefore, similar to other cortical regions the PFC was modified by experience. What was unique, however, was that experience-induced plasticity in the PFC appeared to be transient in adult animals, suggesting that once the task was learned the PFC was no longer required.en_US
dc.embargoNoen_US
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10133/4424
dc.language.isoen_CAen_US
dc.proquestyesNoen_US
dc.publisherLethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Dept. of Neuroscienceen_US
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Neuroscienceen_US
dc.publisher.facultyArts and Scienceen_US
dc.relation.ispartofseriesThesis (University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Arts and Science)en_US
dc.subjectRitalinen_US
dc.subjectprefrontal cortical circuitryen_US
dc.subjectcortical plasticityen_US
dc.subjectexperience-dependent changesen_US
dc.subjectdeveloping prefrontal cortexen_US
dc.subjectadult prefrontal cortexen_US
dc.subjectPrefrontal cortex -- Effect of drugs on -- Research
dc.subjectPrefrontal cortex -- Physiology
dc.subjectMethylphenidate
dc.subjectNeuroplasticity -- Research
dc.subjectNeuroplasticity -- Animal models
dc.subjectCritical periods (Biology) -- Effect of drugs on
dc.subjectExperience
dc.subjectDevelopmental neurobiology
dc.subjectRats as laboratory animals
dc.subjectDissertations, Academic
dc.titleThe anatomical and behavioural correlates of experienceen_US
dc.typeThesisen_US
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