Behavioral Research Blog

Understanding the digital world at the Social Media Lab

In this unique lab, technology is applied to understanding user experience, behavior on social media, and much more.

How to characterize behavioral phenotypes in a behavioral analysis facility

Introducing the Behavioral Analysis Facility. Researchers evaluate the behavioral and functional activities of new pharmacological drugs using diverse functional tests. Learn more about their recent projects.

Normalization of blood sugar reduces enhanced rewarding effect of smoking

Why are the rewarding effects of nicotine greater in diabetic rats?

Using facial expression analysis during a musical experiment

Music affects people, that's for sure. But to what extent varies per person. To measure facial expressions during a musical experiment, FaceReader Online is the easy-to-use tool.

Using gait analysis to analyze Parkinson’s in rat model

Contrary to common methods, gait analysis can detect clinically relevant symptoms early on, researchers say.

The role of explicit bias in working with depressed cardiac patients

Using simulated medical encounters, Dr. Crapanzano and her team measured the influence of bias in the medical students' diagnosis and treatment plans for a patient presenting as mildly depressed.

World Cup success and emotions

Recent scientific research shows that emotional expressions like anger and happiness matter in being successful in the group phase of the soccer World Cup.

Alzheimer research and the Morris water maze task

First developed in 1981 by Richard Morris, the Morris water maze task is still one of the most popular tests for memory and learning in rodents.

Towards automated homecage monitoring of group housed rats

Rodent social behavior is important in research on neuropsychiatric disorders, but major limitations hamper progress.

Many ways to measure behavior

So what kind of behavior can you measure? We haven't had time to follow all five behavior research tracks but here are a few highlights of the first conference day.

A new zebrafish model for ALS-related gene mutations

How zebrafish are helping us to discover the mechanisms behind this neurodegenerative disease.

The effects of parasitic infections on learning and memory in mice

Worm infections can cause cognitive problems. But it’s unclear if it affects learning, memory, or both.