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Not sure if this is the best spot for this, but thought it might be of interest to some folks here.
Free seminar open to the public.
Where: Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA
Date: Thursday, September 24, 2009
Time: 4:10 PM
Loc: Iacocca Hall, B-023; Mountaintop Campus
Host: Dr. Colin Saldanha
Title: Saving Your Brain: How Learning Keeps Neurons Alive
Department of Biological Sciences and
the Cognitive Science Program
are pleased to present the third
Colloquium Seminar Series for Fall 2009:
Tracey J. Shors, Ph.D.
Rutgers University
"The vast majority of new neurons are produced in the hippocampus, a brain region known to be critical for certain types of learning. It has been found that most of these cells die within weeks of their birth. Given that so many cells are born in the hippocampus, we have proposed that they may be related to the formation of new memories, and have accumulated considerable evidence that they are. First, we found that learning enhances their survival. Also we have shown that the learning in an individual animal is associated with a greater number of cells remaining in its hippocampus after training. In other words, “smart” animals had more new neurons in their brain after training than did the “not so smart” animals. Thus, the formation of new memories seems to directly enhance the likelihood that new neurons will remain in the brain, even after the experience of learning is over. These findings fit loosely with the phrase “use it or lose it.” In other studies, we have found that the depletion of these cells is associated with some types of learning deficits. Together, our data suggest that these new neurons are affected by new learning and may even be used in the formation of memories themselves."
For more information on Dr. Shors' research, please click on the following link: http://www.rci.rutgers.edu/~shors/research/index.htm"
Please also forward this information to anyone you think would be interested in attending. Thank you.
Free seminar open to the public.
Where: Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA
Date: Thursday, September 24, 2009
Time: 4:10 PM
Loc: Iacocca Hall, B-023; Mountaintop Campus
Host: Dr. Colin Saldanha
Title: Saving Your Brain: How Learning Keeps Neurons Alive
Department of Biological Sciences and
the Cognitive Science Program
are pleased to present the third
Colloquium Seminar Series for Fall 2009:
Tracey J. Shors, Ph.D.
Rutgers University
"The vast majority of new neurons are produced in the hippocampus, a brain region known to be critical for certain types of learning. It has been found that most of these cells die within weeks of their birth. Given that so many cells are born in the hippocampus, we have proposed that they may be related to the formation of new memories, and have accumulated considerable evidence that they are. First, we found that learning enhances their survival. Also we have shown that the learning in an individual animal is associated with a greater number of cells remaining in its hippocampus after training. In other words, “smart” animals had more new neurons in their brain after training than did the “not so smart” animals. Thus, the formation of new memories seems to directly enhance the likelihood that new neurons will remain in the brain, even after the experience of learning is over. These findings fit loosely with the phrase “use it or lose it.” In other studies, we have found that the depletion of these cells is associated with some types of learning deficits. Together, our data suggest that these new neurons are affected by new learning and may even be used in the formation of memories themselves."
For more information on Dr. Shors' research, please click on the following link: http://www.rci.rutgers.edu/~shors/research/index.htm"
Please also forward this information to anyone you think would be interested in attending. Thank you.
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