Professor Tom Burne - QBI: "Reverse translation of cognitive tasks in rodents"
Speaker: Professor Tom Burne
Title: Reverse translation of cognitive tasks in rodents
Abstract: Schizophrenia is associated with a broad range of symptoms including hallucinations, reduced motivation and delusions; however measures of cognitive dysfunction, including cognitive flexibility and executive function, are the strongest predictors of functional patient outcomes. Although antipsychotic medication has been useful for reducing psychotic symptoms, it is ineffective at improving cognitive deficits. Despite extensive investment by industry, the transition from preclinical to clinical trials has not been successful for developing procognitive medications for schizophrenia patients. One reason for the high failure rate of clinical trials is believed to be the lack of translational validity between human and rodent studies of cognition. Therefore, to reduce this translational gap, animal models and the tasks we use to evaluate cognitive impairment must be further developed. I will discuss ways in which we can improve translational research by assessing the predictive validity and sensitivity of cognitive tasks for use in animal models based on the cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia.
About Neuroscience Seminars
Neuroscience seminars at the QBI play a major role in the advancement of neuroscience in the Asia-Pacific region. The primary goal of these seminars is to promote excellence in neuroscience through the exchange of ideas, establishing new collaborations and augmenting partnerships already in place.
Seminars in the QBI Auditorium are held on Wednesdays at 12-1pm, which are sometimes simulcast on Zoom (with approval from the speaker). We also occassionally hold seminars from international speakers via Zoom. The days and times of these seminars will vary depending on the time zone of the speaker. Please see each seminar listed below for details.
