Dr Brian McCabe University positionRetired DepartmentsHome pagehttp://www.zoo.cam.ac.uk/directo... (personal home page) Research ThemesInterestsThe neural mechanisms of learning and memory, particularly imprinting in the domestic chick. The young of many species, when exposed to a conspicuous object, rapidly learn the object's characteristics and subsequently narrow their social preferences to it. This learning process is called imprinting, the study of which has yielded important insights into the nature of learning and memory. A part of the chick forebrain (the IMM) has been identified as critical for imprinting. The available evidence indicates that the IMM is a site of memory for features of the imprinting stimulus. Currently, learning-specific changes in the IMM are being studied using behavioural, biochemical, electrophysiological and immunocytochemical techniques. Research Focus
EquipmentBehavioural analysis Electroencephalography (EEG) Electrophysiological recording techniques Fluorescence microscopy Immunohistochemistry Microarray analysis Microscopy Collaborators
Associated News ItemsKey publicationsMcCabe BJ (2013), “Imprinting” WIREs Cogn Sci 2013. doi: 10.1002/wcs.1231 Solomonia RO, Meparishvili M, Mikautadze E, Kunelauri N, Apkhazava D, McCabe BJ (2013), “AMPA receptor phosphorylation and recognition memory: learning-related, time-dependent changes in the chick brain following filial imprinting.” Exp Brain Res 226(2):297-308 Details Jackson C, McCabe BJ, Nicol AU, Grout AS, Brown MW, Horn G (2008), “Dynamics of a memory trace: effects of sleep on consolidation.” Curr Biol 18(6):393-400 Details Publications2015Solomonia RO, McCabe BJ (2015), “Molecular mechanisms of memory in imprinting.” Neurosci Biobehav Rev 50:56-69 Details 2011Solomonia RO, Kunelauri N, Mikautadze E, Apkhazava D, McCabe BJ, Horn G (2011), “Mitochondrial proteins, learning and memory: biochemical specialization of a memory system.” Neuroscience 194:112-23 Details Town SM, McCabe BJ (2011), “Neuronal plasticity and multisensory integration in filial imprinting.” PLoS One 6(3):e17777 Details 2010Suge R, Kato H, McCabe BJ (2010), “Rapid induction of the immediate early gene c-fos in a chick forebrain system involved in memory.” Exp Brain Res 200(2):183-8 Details 2008Solomonia RO, Apkhazava D, Nozadze M, Jackson AP, McCabe BJ, Horn G (2008), “Different forms of MARCKS protein are involved in memory formation in the learning process of imprinting.” Exp Brain Res 188(2):323-30 Details 2005Solomonia RO, Kotorashvili A, Kiguradze T, McCabe BJ, Horn G (2005), “Ca2+/calmodulin protein kinase II and memory: learning-related changes in a localized region of the domestic chick brain.” J Physiol 569(Pt 2):643-53 Details 2004Meredith RM, McCabe BJ, Kendrick KM, Horn G (2004), “Amino acid neurotransmitter release and learning: a study of visual imprinting.” Neuroscience 126(2):249-56 Details Suge R, McCabe BJ (2004), “Early stages of memory formation in filial imprinting: Fos-like immunoreactivity and behavior in the domestic chick.” Neuroscience 123(4):847-56 Details 2003Solomonia RO, Morgan K, Kotorashvili A, McCabe BJ, Jackson AP, Horn G (2003), “Analysis of differential gene expression supports a role for amyloid precursor protein and a protein kinase C substrate (MARCKS) in long-term memory.” Eur J Neurosci 17(5):1073-81 Details 2001McCabe BJ, Horn G, Kendrick KM (2001), “GABA, taurine and learning: release of amino acids from slices of chick brain following filial imprinting.” Neuroscience 105(2):317-24 Details 2000Solomonia RO, Kiguradze T, McCabe BJ, Horn G (2000), “Neural cell adhesion molecules, CaM kinase II and long-term memory in the chick.” Neuroreport 11(14):3139-43 Details 1999Ambalavanar R, McCabe BJ, Potter KN, Horn G (1999), “Learning-related fos-like immunoreactivity in the chick brain: time-course and co-localization with GABA and parvalbumin.” Neuroscience 93(4):1515-24 Details McCabe BJ, Nicol AU (1999), “The recognition memory of imprinting: biochemistry and electrophysiology.” Behav Brain Res 98(2):253-60 Details 1998Harvey RJ, McCabe BJ, Solomonia RO, Horn G, Darlison MG (1998), “Expression of the GABA(A) receptor gamma 4-subunit gene: anatomical distribution of the corresponding mRNA in the domestic chick forebrain and the effect of imprinting training.” Eur J Neurosci 10(9):3024-8 Details Solomonia RO, McCabe BJ, Horn G (1998), “Neural cell adhesion molecules, learning, and memory in the domestic chick.” Behav Neurosci 112(3):646-55 Details 1997Solomonia RO, McCabe BJ, Jackson AP, Horn G (1997), “Clathrin proteins and recognition memory.” Neuroscience 80(1):59-67 Details Zhu XO, McCabe BJ, Aggleton JP, Brown MW (1997), “Differential activation of the rat hippocampus and perirhinal cortex by novel visual stimuli and a novel environment.” Neurosci Lett 229(2):141-3 Details 1996Meberg PJ, McCabe BJ, Routtenberg A (1996), “MARCKS and protein F1/GAP-43 mRNA in chick brain: effects of imprinting.” Brain Res Mol Brain Res 35(1-2):149-56 Details Zhu XO, McCabe BJ, Aggleton JP, Brown MW (1996), “Mapping visual recognition memory through expression of the immediate early gene c-fos.” Neuroreport 7(11):1871-5 Details 1995Zhu XO, Brown MW, McCabe BJ, Aggleton JP (1995), “Effects of the novelty or familiarity of visual stimuli on the expression of the immediate early gene c-fos in rat brain.” Neuroscience 69(3):821-9 Details 1994Ambalavanar R, McCabe BJ, Horn G (1994), “NADPH diaphorase (nitric oxide synthase) in a part of the chick brain involved in imprinting.” Brain Res 644(1):160-3 Details Bradford CM, McCabe BJ (1994), “Neuronal activity related to memory in the intermediate and medial part of the hyperstriatum ventrale of the chick brain.” Brain Res 640(1-2):11-6 Details McCabe BJ, Horn G (1994), “Learning-related changes in Fos-like immunoreactivity in the chick forebrain after imprinting.” Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 91(24):11417-21 Details 1993Ambalavanar R, Van der Zee EA, Bolhuis JJ, McCabe BJ, Horn G (1993), “Co-expression of Fos immunoreactivity in protein kinase (PKC gamma)-positive neurones: quantitative analysis of a brain region involved in learning.” Brain Res 606(2):315-8 Details Sheu FS, McCabe BJ, Horn G, Routtenberg A (1993), “Learning selectively increases protein kinase C substrate phosphorylation in specific regions of the chick brain.” Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 90(7):2705-9 Details 1992McCabe BJ, Davey JE, Horn G (1992), “Impairment of learning by localized injection of an N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist into the hyperstriatum ventrale of the domestic chick.” Behav Neurosci 106(6):947-53 Details 1991McCabe BJ, Horn G (1991), “Synaptic transmission and recognition memory: time course of changes in N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors after imprinting.” Behav Neurosci 105(2):289-94 Details Watson AH, McCabe BJ, Horn G (1991), “Quantitative analysis of the ultrastructural distribution of GABA-like immunoreactivity in the intermediate and medial part of hyperstriatum ventrale of chick.” J Neurocytol 20(2):145-56 Details 1990Horn G, McCabe BJ (1990), “Learning by seeing: N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors and recognition memory.” Adv Exp Med Biol 268:187-96 Details 1988McCabe BJ, Horn G (1988), “Learning and memory: regional changes in N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors in the chick brain after imprinting.” Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 85(8):2849-53 Details 1986Bolhuis JJ, McCabe BJ, Horn G (1986), “Androgens and imprinting: differential effects of testosterone on filial preference in the domestic chick.” Behav Neurosci 100(1):51-6 Details 1985Davies DC, Horn G, McCabe BJ (1985), “Noradrenaline and learning: effects of the noradrenergic neurotoxin DSP4 on imprinting in the domestic chick.” Behav Neurosci 99(4):652-60 Details Horn G, Bradley P, McCabe BJ (1985), “Changes in the structure of synapses associated with learning.” J Neurosci 5(12):3161-8 Details 1983Davies DC, Horn G, McCabe BJ (1983), “Changes in telencephalic catecholamine levels in the domestic chick. Effects of age and visual experience.” Brain Res 312(2):251-5 Details Horn G, McCabe BJ, Cipolla-Neto J (1983), “Imprinting in the domestic chick: the role of each side of the hyperstriatum ventrale in acquisition and retention.” Exp Brain Res 53(1):91-8 Details 1982Cipolla-Neto J, Horn G, McCabe BJ (1982), “Hemispheric asymmetry and imprinting: the effect of sequential lesions to the hyperstriatum ventrale.” Exp Brain Res 48(1):22-7 Details McCabe BJ, Cipolla-Neto J, Horn G, Bateson P (1982), “Amnesic effects of bilateral lesions placed in the hyperstriatum ventrale of the chick after imprinting.” Exp Brain Res 48(1):13-21 Details 1981McCabe BJ, Horn G, Bateson PP (1981), “Effects of restricted lesions of the chick forebrain on the acquisition of filial preferences during imprinting.” Brain Res 205(1):29-37 Details 1979Cipolla-Neto J, Horn G, McCabe BJ (1979), “A method for recording unit activity from the brain of the freely moving chick [proceedings].” J Physiol 295:8P-9P Details Horn G, McCabe BJ, Bateson PP (1979), “An autoradiographic study of the chick brain after imprinting.” Brain Res 168(2):361-73 Details McCabe BJ, Horn G, Bateson PP (1979), “Effects of rhythmic hyperstriatal stimulation on chicks' preferences for visual flicker.” Physiol Behav 23(1):137-40 Details 1978Bateson PP, Horn G, McCabe BJ (1978), “Imprinting: the effect of partial ablation of the medial hyperstriatum ventrale of the chick [proceedings].” J Physiol 285:23P Details Bateson PP, Horn G, McCabe BJ (1978), “Imprinting and the incorporation of uracil in the chick brain: a radioautographic study [proceedings].” J Physiol 275:70P Details Horn G, McCabe BJ (1978), “An autoradiographic method for studying the incorporation of uracil into acid-insoluble compounds in the brain [proceedings].” J Physiol 275:2P-3P Details 1976McCabe BJ (1976), “An after-effect of local stimulation of neurones in the cerebral cortex of the unanaesthetized rat [proceedings].” J Physiol 263(1):140P-141P Details 1975Horn G, McCabe BJ (1975), “A method for recording with minimal artifact the e.e.g. of unanaesthetized, newly hatched chicks.” J Physiol 245(2):38P-39P Details |