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Ph.D. (1989)
SUNY Health Science Center at Brooklyn
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David
A. Holtzman
Assistant Professor of Brain and Cognitive Sciences
Primary Appointment:
Brain and Cognitive
Sciences
GEBS Cluster Affiliations:
NS
- Neuroscience
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Research:
Mechanisms of Spatial Learning and Memory;
Learning-Dependent Neurogenesis; Neural Proliferation
and Differentiation in Nasal Chemosensory Systems |
Contact Information:
E-Mail: holtzman@bcs.rochester.edu |
University of Rochester
School of Medicine and Dentistry
601 Elmwood Ave, Box 603
Rochester, New York 14642
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Medical Center [room]
Phone: (716) [tele]
Fax: (716) [number] |
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Research
Overview
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| My lab is trying to understand the regulatory
processes involved in brain growth and behavioral plasticity.
The receptor epithelia of the two major nasal chemosensory systems,
the olfactory (OS) and the vomeronasal (VNS) systems, of vertebrates
are similar in that both contain bipolar neurons that turn over
during adulthood, show regeneration following section of their
respective nerves, and have been used successfully in studies
of postnatal neurogenesis and in comparisons between regeneration
and development. We have shown that the cell dynamics during
regeneration of the vomeronasal epithelium is similar to those
during its early development. VNS structures are hypertrophied
through the telenchephalon of snakes and mediate a wide variety
of their behaviors. These features allow for easier manipulation
of brain structures than in mammals and allow for examination
of distinct species-typical behaviors under the control of VNS
structures. My lab also studies the sensory mediation and role
of the hippocampus in spatial learning and memory of snakes.
We have developed and tested successfully a spatial learning
and memory task that is relevant to snakes abd have begun behavioral
studies which examine the effects of environmental manipulation
or hippocampal lesions on this task. Since some neurons generated
postnatally were foun to migrate to the hippocampus, we are
examining the the role of spatial learning experience on cell
proliferation and neuronal survival in the hippocamous. By testing
the role of postnatal nerogenesis in the development of spatial
learning in snakes using behavioral, cellular, and molecular
techniques, my hope is that our studies will shed light on the
interactions between postnatal neurogenesis and behavior. |
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Recent Publications
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- Holtzman, D.A., T.W. Harris, G. Aranguren and E. Bostock
(1998)
- Spatial learning and memory of an escape task by young
corn snakes. Animal Behaviour, in press.
- Holtzman, D.A. (1998)
- From slither to hither: Orientation and spatial learning
in snakes. Integr. Biol., 1:81-89.
- Holtzman, D.A. (1998)
- Cell dynamics in the embyonic and postnatal vomeronasal
epithelium of snakes. Microsc. Res. Techn., 41:471-482.
- Stone, A. and D.A. Holtzman (1996)
- Feeding responses in young boa constrictors are mediated
by the vomeronasal system. Anim. Behav., 52, 949-955.
- Holtzman, D.A., E. Gordon, and M. Halpern (1993)
- Developmental changes in cytochrome oxidase histochemistry
in the main and accessory olfactory bulbs of embryonic and
neonatal garter snakes. J. Morphol., 218, 323-332.
- Holtzman, D.A. (1993)
- The ontogeny of nasal chemosensory systems in garter
snakes. Brain Behav. Evol., 41, 163-170.
- Holtzman, D.A. and M. Halpern (1991a)
- Incorporation of 3H-thymidine in the embryonic vomeronasal
and olfactory epithelia of garter snakes. J. Comp. Neurol.,
304, 435-449.
- Holtzman, D.A. and M. Halpern (1991b)
- Incorporation of 3H-thymidine in telencephalic structures
of the vomeronasal and olfactory systems of embryonic garter
snakes. J. Comp. Neurol., 304, 450-466.
- Holtzman, D.A. and M. Halpern (1989)
- In vitro techniques for studying garter snake (Thamnophis
spp.) development. J. Exp. Zool. 250:283-288.
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