Neuroscience Seminar with Maxwell Madden '18

Join us in welcoming Maxwell Madden, Ph.D. (SMCM '18) back to campus to present his research!

Title: Serotonergic Control of the Claustrum: A Cognitive Flexibility Nucleus

Abstract: To successfully confront life challenges, humans and other animals must be able to rapidly adapt cognition to changing environmental demands. This capability, cognitive flexibility, is supported in part by the claustrum, a subcortical nucleus with widespread reciprocal connections with the majority of cortex. However, knowledge of how claustrum action is regulated is sparse. We will discuss findings of a mechanism for serotonin mediated control of claustrum circuits, which is also targeted by the psychedelic, psilocybin. These findings establish a mechanism by which claustrum function may be informed by brain or behavioral state, as well as providing a potential explanation for psilocybin’s therapeutic pro-cognitive effects.