Dr. Holahan uses an integrative neuroscience approach to study both endogenous and exogenous influences on neural structure and function in the context of behavior. Our lab examines the emergence of spatial information processing and long-term memory storage in rodents during development and associated axonal and dendritic changes. We also use transgenic mouse models to investigate potential novel therapeutic targets in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. Finally, we study exogenous (environmental toxins, experimental brain injury, pharmacological manipulations) influences on brain function (immediate early gene expression, inflammatory markers) and structure (axonal and dendritic connectivity).
Eligible to supervise at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Currently taking volunteers on a limited basis.
Over the last six years, the research in the Holahan Lab has centered around the use of an integrative neuroscience approach to study influences on neural structure and function in the context of behaviour. The following are some of the areas of focus:
Noye Tuplin EW, Wright MT, Holahan MR. (2019). Different periods of forced abstinence after instrumental learning for food reward of different macronutrient value on responding for conditioned cues and AMPAr subunit levels. Behav Brain Res. Dec 16;375:112141. doi: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.112141. Epub 2019 Aug 5.
Lariviere K, Bureau S, Marshall C, Holahan MR. (2019). Interaction between Age, Sex, and Mental Health Status as Precipitating Factors for Symptom Presentation in Concussed Individuals. J Sports Med (Hindawi Publ Corp). Dec 31:9207903. doi: 10.1155/2019/9207903.
Tzakis, N and Holahan, MR. (2020). Investigation of GluA1 and GluA2 AMPA Receptor Subtype Distribution in the Hippocampus and Anterior Cingulate Cortex of Long Evans Rats During Development. IBRO Rep Apr 3;8:91-100. doi: 10.1016/j.ibror.2020.03.003. eCollection 2020 Jun.
Holahan, MR and Goheen, K. (2020). Preadolescent Dopamine Receptor Antagonism Increases Postadolescent Reward-Related Operant Behaviors That May Depend on Dopamine Receptor Hypersensitivity. Neurosci Lett. 2020 Apr 23;725:134917. doi: 10.1016/j.neulet.2020.134917. Epub 2020 Mar 19.
Wong VL, Holahan MR. (2019). A systematic review of aerobic and resistance exercise and inflammatory markers in people with multiple sclerosis. Behav Pharmacol. Dec;30(8):653-660. doi: 10.1097/FBP.0000000000000514.
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