Neuroscience Research

Research plays an integral role in the neuroscience major at Carthage. While all neuroscience majors will take part in research through our course curriculum, many of our majors are also involved in our active neuroscience research laboratories at Carthage.

The neuroscience program has a rat lab, a zebrafish lab, and a human neurophysiology lab, which all provide opportunities for students in neuroscience to investigate novel research questions about the brain.

Rat Lab

The most common model organism used in neuroscience research is the laboratory mouse and rat due to their genetic similarity to humans, relatively simple care requirements, and established research protocols allowing for extensive study of brain function and behavior. Using rodent models is particularly valuable due to advanced genetic engineering techniques, allowing for the creation of specific mutant strains to study disease mechanisms, and they can be easily tested in various behavioral paradigms to examine the impact of neural manipulations on different behaviors.

In our rat lab, students learn a variety of modern neuroscience techniques and surgical approaches, such as detailed behavioral analyses of stress vulnerability in a rat model, pharmacology, gastrointestinal manipulations, stereotaxic surgery, neuroanatomy, and neural tracing. Students also learn histology and use our confocal microscope to examine neurons that they’ve labeled using a technique called fluorescent immunohistochemistry.

Zebrafish Lab

Zebrafish are an invaluable model organism in neuroscience research, particularly for studying early brain development. Their transparent embryos allow for real-time observation of neural processes, such as neurogenesis, neuronal migration, and the formation of neural circuits. Additionally, the ease of genetic manipulation techniques, such as CRISPR, facilitates the exploration of gene function and the identification of pathways involved in brain development and neurological disorders. This unique combination of transparency, genetic tractability, and rapid developmental timeline makes zebrafish a powerful tool in advancing our understanding of neuroscience. Students at Carthage study neural generation and regeneration in zebrafish using a host of genetic techniques, histology, and microscopy.

Human Neurophysiology Lab

Neurophysiology is the branch of neuroscience that studies the functions and activities of the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. Here at Carthage, our human neurophysiology lab studies stress vulnerability in humans by examining physiological responses such as respiratory function, cardiac activity, and autonomic nervous system activity in response to a variety of stressors. Studying stress vulnerability through neurophysiology offers valuable insights into how our bodies respond to various stressors. By analyzing physiologic measures such as respiration rate, heart rate, and heart rate variability (HRV), students can develop a deeper understanding of the mind-body connection. Collecting and analyzing data on human participants also provides hands-on experience that is essential for anyone pursuing a career in neuroscience or any healthcare-related field.