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:: Current research project
Neuronal and endocrine mechanisms underlying cognitive appraisal and social modulation of behaviour in zebrafish (Danio rerio)
Zebrafish (Danio rerio) is establishing itself as a new promising model in behavioral neuroscience. In this project we aim to understand the basic neural and endocrine mechanisms involved in how zebrafish evaluate and interpret a stimulus or event. These mechanisms are relevant not only in individual decision making but also in social contexts where mechanisms of appraisal coupled with social cognition may determine social learning and social behavior. We will use zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a research model and will develop behavioural paradigms to: experimentally investigate the occurrence of cognitive appraisal; understand how fish attribute valence and salience to positive and negative stimuli; explore how predictability and controllability moderate the attribution of valence and/or salience to stimuli in zebrafish; test social cognition abilities and assess how the social environment may moderate cognitive appraisal. All tasks will be analyzed at the behavioral, hormonal, and neuronal levels.
Funded by: FCT- SFRH/BD/33280/2007 |
