Brainwave and electrophysiological biomarkers of cognition enhancing drugs

Project Lead

Dr Chris French

frenchc@unimelb.edu.au

+61 3 8344 3276

Project Details

Several drugs are able to improve cognitive performance quite considerably in animal models, and to some extent in humans. They are known as “nootropics”. This projects aims to study how brain wave patterns in mice change with these drugs, both to understand how they work, as well as to find biomarkers to identify such agents. It will involve training mice to perform simple memory and other cognitive tasks, and to record their brain signals before and after drug administration. We will initially use simple double “depth” electrodes, but will progress to multielectrode arrays and miniscopes later in the project. This is a fantastic opportunity to get into modern cognitive neuroscience and

discover some really neat things! Suitable for Honours, Masters and PhD.