Abstract
Cephalopods, particularly the octopus, have the largest and most complex invertebrate brains and show markers of behavioral complexity. Several mammalian studies have demonstrated a correlation between learning and neurogenesis (the birth of new neurons) in the hippocampus of the adult brain. The vertical lobe of Octopus vulgaris is thought to be analogous to the hippocampus of mammalian brain; however, neurogenesis has never been reported in the octopus. We used thymidine incorporation assays and immunostaining to demonstrate neurogenesis in the developed octopus brain. We are currently examining the proliferation, differentiation, integration, and cell death of newly born neurons in the octopus brain. Future studies will test for concomitant changes in behavioral learning and neurogenesis.
Faculty Sponsors
Dr. James R. Munoz, Dr. Jaime L. Tartar
Project Type
Event
Location
Alvin Sherman Library
Start Date
4-4-2014 1:00 PM
End Date
4-4-2014 5:30 PM
Neurogenesis in Octopus vulgaris
Alvin Sherman Library
Cephalopods, particularly the octopus, have the largest and most complex invertebrate brains and show markers of behavioral complexity. Several mammalian studies have demonstrated a correlation between learning and neurogenesis (the birth of new neurons) in the hippocampus of the adult brain. The vertical lobe of Octopus vulgaris is thought to be analogous to the hippocampus of mammalian brain; however, neurogenesis has never been reported in the octopus. We used thymidine incorporation assays and immunostaining to demonstrate neurogenesis in the developed octopus brain. We are currently examining the proliferation, differentiation, integration, and cell death of newly born neurons in the octopus brain. Future studies will test for concomitant changes in behavioral learning and neurogenesis.
