Our Research

Research Aims

The neurobiological mechanisms supporting cognition remain poorly understood. Converging lines of evidence suggest that cognitive processes including learning, memory, and decision making rely on activity in cortical regions and other interconnected areas of the meso-cortico-striatal-limbic circuitry. Such circuits are profoundly important for healthy cognition, but the mechanisms and interactions involved are not well characterized. Therefore, understanding how interactions between striatal regions and cortical regions influence higher order cognitive functions like working memory will provide insight into the neurobiological mechanisms underlying cognition. Experiments in this line of research use a combination of sensitive behavioural testing and viral vector-based approaches to examine meso-cortico-striatal-limbic interactions underlying cognitive behaviours. The results of these experiments will significantly increase the understanding of advanced cognitive functions such as learning and memory from an integrated behavioural and physiological perspective. This work is supported by an NSERC Discovery Grant.

The use of Cannabis in women of child-bearing age and during pregnancy is surprisingly common, and surveys suggest that the majority of North Americans believe that Cannabis use during pregnancy is benign. In contrast, epidemiological data from the last twenty years suggest that the offspring of women who consumed Cannabis during pregnancy suggest altered behaviour and mental processes as they mature. However, a lack of controlled studies makes drawing firm conclusions regarding these long-term mental health effects difficult to specify. In addition, increasing potency of Cannabis and related products increases the probability that consumption of these products during pregnancy will disturb normal development of the unborn offspring. The proposed research involves developing a model of Cannabis use during pregnancy that involves exposing rodents to the smoke of Cannabis flower or injected cannabinoids. We will test whether exposure to either THC or CBD during pregnancy will affect behaviour and brain development of the offspring. We will use a combination of genetic, molecular, behavioural, and imaging strategies to address our research question. Our findings will inform health policy and education of the public about the risks of Cannabis use during pregnancy. In addition, our findings will reduce the burden of Cannabis exposure on individuals and the Canadian health system by directly specifying its effects. This research is funded by a CIHR Operating Grant.

Publications

View our recent publications here.

In the Press!

Howland Laprairie Featured Research
Joint efforts by USask research team simulate Canada’s cannabis consumption