A5081399551- Neural dynamics and brain function
- Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
- Advanced MRI Techniques and Applications
- Functional Brain Connectivity Studies
- Neuroscience, Education and Cognitive Function
- Pain Mechanisms and Treatments
- Electrochemical Analysis and Applications
- Analytical Chemistry and Sensors
- EEG and Brain-Computer Interfaces
- Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
- Sleep and Wakefulness Research
- Optical Imaging and Spectroscopy Techniques
- Neuroscience of respiration and sleep
- Memory and Neural Mechanisms
- Heart Rate Variability and Autonomic Control
- Photoreceptor and optogenetics research
- Neuroscience and Neural Engineering
- Animal testing and alternatives
- Education, Achievement, and Giftedness
- S100 Proteins and Annexins
- Innovative Teaching Methods
- Advanced Neuroimaging Techniques and Applications
- Anesthesia and Sedative Agents
- Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Studies
- Animal and Plant Science Education
Queen's University
2014-2022
University of Nottingham
2013-2020
University of Calgary
2017
Queen's Medical Centre
2013-2017
Versus Arthritis
2017
Culham Science Centre
2016
University of Oxford
2007-2013
University of Sheffield
2004-2011
Significant opioid-dependent changes occur during the fourth postnatal week in supraspinal sites (rostroventral medulla [RVM], periaqueductal grey [PAG]) that are involved descending control of spinal excitability via dorsal horn (DH). Here we report developmentally regulated opioidergic signalling within PAG and DH, which further increase our understanding pain processing early life. Microinjection μ-opioid receptor (MOR) agonist DAMGO (30 ng) into Sprague-Dawley rats increased lowered...
Abstract The spatiotemporal dynamics of neuronal assemblies evoked by sensory stimuli have not yet been fully characterised, especially the extent to which they are modulated prevailing brain states. In order examine this issue, we induced different levels anaesthesia, distinguished specific electroencephalographic indices, and compared somatosensory‐evoked potentials (SEPs) with voltage‐sensitive dye imaging (VSDI) responses in rat barrel cortex whisker deflection. At deeper all were...
In the current study, we investigated pharmacological side effects and signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) of two commonly used voltage-sensitive dyes (VSDs): blue dye RH-1691 (1 mg/ml) red di-4-ANEPPS (0.1 mg/ml), applied in vivo to rat barrel cortex. Blue are often favored over studies due their apparent superior SNR, partly because fluorescence spectrum is farther away from hemoglobin absorption spectrum, making them less prone heartbeat-associated brain-pulsation artifacts (BPA). We...
Integrating science communication training into an undergraduate research project encourages greater academic involvement in public engagement, maximizes audience size, and provides high-quality data.
Abstract Brain imaging techniques rely on changes in blood flow, volume and oxygenation to infer the loci magnitude of activity. Although progress has been made understanding link between stimulus‐evoked neural activity haemodynamics, extent which neurovascular‐coupling relationships remain constant during different states baseline cortical is poorly understood. Optical spectroscopy, laser Doppler flowmetry electrophysiology were used measure haemodynamics barrel cortex anaesthetized rats....
Abstract The ARRIVE (Animal Research: Reporting of In Vivo Experiments) guidelines are widely endorsed but compliance is limited. We sought to determine whether journal-requested completion an checklist improves full with the guidelines. a randomised controlled trial, manuscripts reporting in vivo animal research submitted PLOS ONE (March-June 2015) were allocated either requested or current standard practice. measured change proportion meeting all guideline items between groups. 1,689...
ABSTRACT We initiated and structured a single program that supervised teachers, some with neuroscience or psychology degrees, to collaborate explore the effects of science learning‐translated pedagogy. This article reports on 34 findings from teacher‐led randomized controlled trials (RCTs) replications. Teachers designed trials, looking at areas such as attention, memory, spaced learning. Overall, positive were found over short periods (1–6 weeks; r = 0.15, p < .0001 [ d 0.30], N 2,157)....
Application of functional imaging techniques to animal models is vital understand pain mechanisms, but often confounded by the need limit movement artefacts with anaesthesia, and a focus on evoked responses rather than clinically relevant spontaneous related hyperalgesia. The aim present study was investigate potential manganese-enhanced magnetic resonance (MEMRI) measure neural during on-going that underpins hyperalgesia in pre-clinical nociception. As proof concept MEMRI sensitive activity...
Abstract Significant age- and experience-dependent remodelling of spinal supraspinal neural networks occur, resulting in altered pain responses early life. In adults, endogenous opioid peptide endocannabinoid (ECs) control systems exist which modify responses, but the role they play acute to postnatal neurodevelopment is unknown. Here, we have studied changing ECs brainstem nuclei essential for nociception from birth adulthood both rats humans. Using vivo electrophysiology, show that...
Abstract The rostral ventromedial medulla ( RVM ) regulates a range of involuntary behaviours but is most often associated with nociception via the action pronociceptive ON cells and antinociceptive OFF cells. phasic responses determine whether or not incoming noxious signals provoke withdrawal reflex, previous studies have suggested that reflex activity patterns actively shape motor output. Here we challenged model by using juvenile rats, which are known to exhibit markedly different...
Risk heightens motivation and, if used appropriately, may have the potential to improve engagement in classroom. We developed a risk-based learning game for school pupils order test whether such games can later recall of information. The study was performed during series public workshops delivered by undergraduate students. Undergraduate neuroscience students 90-minute science 9-10 year old (n = 448) that were divided into 'Risk', 'No risk' and 'Control' classes. 'Risk' classes received...
Key points Traditional, widely used in vivo electrophysiological techniques for the investigation of spinal processing somatosensory information fail to account diverse functions each lamina. To overcome this oversimplification, we have multi‐electrode arrays, , simultaneously record neuronal activity across all laminae dorsal horn. Multi‐electrode arrays are sensitive enough detect lamina‐ and region‐specific encoding different subtypes afferent fibres short‐lived changes synaptic...