Case Studies
Our Case Studies highlight the variety of excellent research carried out at the University of Sussex.
Research involving mice may help us to understand Alzheimer's Disease and how to treat it
By: Anna Ford
Photo source: Mohamad Hassan, Pixabay
Scientists have recorded blood oxygen levels in the hippocampus of mice, showing why the area commonly referred to as ‘the brain’s memory centre’, is vulnerable to damage and degeneration, which is a precursor to Alzheimer’s disease.
To understand why this region is so sensitive, the University of Sussex researchers, led by Dr Catherine Hall from the School of Psychology and Sussex Neuroscience, studied brain activity and blood flow in the hippocampus of mice, using a cranial window which allowed them to record what neurons and blood vessels were doing while mice ran through a virtual reality environment, as well as measuring blood oxygen levels.
Dr Kira Shaw, a researcher in Hall’s lab said: “We found that blood flow and oxygen levels in the hippocampus were lower than those in the visual cortex. Also, when neurons are active, there is a large increase in blood flow and oxygen levels in the visual cortex. This provides energy to hungry neurons. But in the hippocampus, these responses were much smaller.”
The full research paper, ‘Neurovascular coupling and oxygenation are decreased in hippocampus compared to neocortex because of microvascular differences’ is published in Nature Communications. The research was funded by the Medical Research Council, the Academy of Medical Sciences, and the Wellcome Trust.
Benefits of the research
“These findings are an important step in the search for preventative measures and treatments for Alzheimer’s, because they suggest that increasing blood flow in the hippocampus might be really effective at preventing damage from happening. If it’s right that increasing blood flow in the hippocampus is important in protecting the brain from diseases like Alzheimer’s, then it will throw further weight behind the importance of regular exercise and a low-cholesterol diet to long-term brain health.” – Dr Catherine Hall
Do Elephants have culture?
By: Dr Lucy Bates
Photo credit: Dr Lucy Bates
Culture is a defining characteristic of humans and is reflected in many aspects of our behaviour. The way we speak or greet others, our fashion, even our hobbies, give other people cues about the social group we identify with, and we learn these traits by observing and copying the people around us – our culture is acquired socially.
We now know that many animal species also learn certain traits by watching and copying others in their group. This social learning can establish behavioural traditions that allow behaviour to be passed between and within generations.
We are investigating if African savannah elephants – large-brained, social mammals that are like us in so many ways – also exhibit cultural traditions. Do they learn from watching others, and then spread this behaviour further?
To answer this, we are surveying experienced ethologists to compare the repertoire of social behaviour observed in elephant populations at 11 study-sites from east and southern Africa. Traits that are present in some elephant populations but absent in others are potential evidence of elephant culture, and will indicate where future efforts should be concentrated.
Benefits of the Research
The study of culture cuts across disciplines, incorporating animal behaviour, anthropology, conservation biology and social psychology, and contributes to our understanding of group processes and the functioning of societies. By understanding if, how, and what elephants learn from each other, we can expand our knowledge of the evolution and use of culture.