Neurobehavioral Core Laboratory

National Institute Of Environmental Health Sciences

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

Our goal is to provide state-of-the-art neurobehavioral research capabilities to the intramural community. This includes advice in experimental design, training in neurobehavioral methods, data collection, data analysis, interpretation and manuscript preparation. We provide large scale behavioral phenotyping batteries via our contract with the UNC Mouse Behavioral Phenotyping Core (http://www.cidd.unc.edu/research/default.aspx?id=25), although this contract was recently cut. We provide the space, equipment and expertise so that researchers can conduct neurobehavioral assays in our laboratory at NIEHS. This allows for the assessment of multiple functional domains with a wide variety of behavioral assays including: neurobehavioral reflexes, motor function, home cage behavior and circadian assessments, sensory function, anxiety and depression-related behaviors, social behavior, learning and memory. In addition, we also have the equipment and expertise for the more advanced approaches in behavioral neuroscience research including optogenetics, optical imaging and electrophysiology. We utilize optogenetics to manipulate specific sub-populations of neurons with high temporal precisions during behavior and can readout neural activity using electrophysiological recording as well as optical approaches, such as photometry and miniature implantable microscopes. We have also invested significant time and resources to developing and validating automated home cage approaches that allow for full automation of behavioral assessments in the home cage. Finally, we've also recently added wireless telemetry-based assessment of physiological signals to our toolkit. Combined, all of these capabilities keep us at the cutting-edge of a wide range in vivo neurobiology approaches that we are employing to advance our understanding of how the nervous system functions in both health and disease.