Jennifer Bizon, Ph.D.

Jennifer Bizon, Ph.D.Associate Professor

Office Phone: (352) 294-5149
Lab Phone:     (352) 294-5028
Email:              bizonj@ufl.edu

Education:

1998 Ph.D. (Neurobiology & Behavior) University of California, Irvine, CA
                                         1998-2003   Postdoctoral  Fellowship (Psychological & Brain Sciences), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD

Research Summary:

Dr. Bizon’s laboratory uses rodent models to investigate the neurobiological underpinnings of cognitive aging, including loss of functions related to learning, memory and executive function (e.g., decision making).

Key Words:

Cognitive Aging
Learning
Memory
Executive Function
Basal Forebrain
Hippocampus
Prefrontal Cortex
Decision Making

Research Focus:

Age-related cognitive decline is a substantial problem, particularly as expectations of longevity have increased two-fold in the last century, and it is estimated that upwards of 25% of people over age 65 exhibit some form of cognitive deficit. As such, there is great interest in: 1- early detection of failing cognition; 2- determining neurobiological factors responsible for such decline; and 3- developing effective treatments to slow or even reverse cognitive decline in aging. Each of these questions is currently being pursued in my laboratory. Broadly, my research uses a combination of molecular, neuroanatomical, and behavioral approaches to identify the mechanisms and circuitry responsible for the emergence of cognitive impairment across the lifespan. The ability to link molecular and cellular changes in the brain to behavioral outcomes is a powerful approach to aging research and is a central theme in my laboratory. Current areas of particular focus are:

  • Characterization of age-related changes in the neuroanatomy of the septo-hippocampal system in relation to learning and memory
  • Identification of age-related changes in modulatory neurotransmitter systems (e.g. – acetylcholine, dopamine) in relation to prefrontal cortical-dependent cognition (executive function)
  • Development of rat and mouse models for early detection of age-related deficits in memory and executive function
  • Identification and testing of novel drug therapies targeting age-related cognitive decline
  • Use of olfaction and related neural systems to predict and direct cognitive outcomes in aging
  • Short and long-term neurobiological and behavioral consequences of neurotoxins (mercury, lead) and drugs of abuse (e.g., psychostimulants)

 

Lab Members:

 

Name: Position: Email:
George Edwards, III Laboratory Manager getripple3@ufl.edu
Karienn S. Montgomery Graduate Student karienn@ufl.edu
Cristina Banuelos Graduate Student cbanuelos@ufl.edu
Blanca ‘Sofia’ Beas Graduate Student sofiabeas@ufl.edu

 Recent or Most Significant Publications:

Montgomery, K. S., Simmons, R.K., Edwards, G. 3rd, Nicolle, M. M., Meyers, C. A., Gluck, M., & Bizon, J. L. (In Press). Novel age-dependent learning deficits in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease: Implications for translational research. Neurobiology of Aging. (Epub ahead of print: Aug. 29, 2009)

Simon, N.W., LaSarge, C.L., Montomery, K.S., Williams, M.T., Mendez, I.A., Setlow, B., Bizon, J.L. (2010) Good things come to those who wait: attenuated discounting of delayed rewards in aging. Neurobiology of Aging. 31(5):853-62. 

LaSarge, C.L., Bañuelos C, Mayse, J.R., & Bizon, J. L. (2009). Blockade of GABA(B) receptors completely reverses age-related learning impairment. Neuroscience.164(3):941-7.

PubMed