RESEARCH INTERESTS

Neural control of animal vocalization and communication
- ultrasonic vocalization
- vocal communication
- vocal expression of emotionality
Neural control of locomotor activity
- mechanisms of movement initiation
- patterns of locomotor activity

The general objective of my research is to study neural mechanisms of behaviour. I am particularly interested in the neural control of vocalization and locomotion as two major components of overt behaviour. The main questions raised are what brain structures are involved in initiation and regulation of these behavioural patterns and what pathways and neurotransmitters are involved in conveying information and in achieving the integration of behavioural output. The research plans represent a multidisciplinary approach ranging from cellular mechanisms and the anatomical organization of neural brain circuits, to integrative aspects of the neural regulation of vertebrate behaviour. The ongoing research projects involve behavioural tests, bioacoustic analyses, measurements of locomotor activity, neuropharmacological, neurophysiological and histological techniques, and electrophysiological and histochemical methods.

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS:

Brudzynski SM, Komadoski M, St. Pierre J. (2012). Quinpirole-induced 50 kHz ultrasonic vocalization in the rat: Role of D2 and D3 dopamine receptors. Behavioural Brain Research, 226: 511-518.

Brudzynski SM, Iku A, Harness (nee Savoy) A. (2011). Activity of cholinergic neurons in the laterodorsal tegmental nucleus during emission of 22 kHz vocalization in rats. Behavioural Brain Research, 225: 276-283.

Brudzynski, S.M., Silkstone, M., Komadoski, M., Scullion, S., Duffus, S., Burgdorf, J., Kroes, R.A., Moskal, J.R. and Panksepp, J.(2011). Effects of intraacumbens amphetamine on production of 50 kHz vocalization in three lines of selectively bred Long-Evans rats. Behav Brain Res., 217(1): 32-40.

Brudzynski, S.M. (2009). Communication of adult rats by ultrasonic vocalization: Biological, sociobiological, and neuroscience approaches. ILAR Journal, 50(1): 43-50.

Brudzynski, S.M. (2007). Ultrasonic calls of rats as indicator variables of negative or positive states. Acetylcholine-dopamine interaction and acoustic coding. Behavioral Brain Research, 182(2): 261-273.

Brudzynski, S.M. and Holland, G. (2005). Acoustic characteristics of air puff-induced 22-kHz alarm calls in direct recordings. Neurosci Biobehav Rev, 29: 1169-1180.

Brudzynski, S.M. (2005). Principles of rat communication: Quantitative parameters of ultrasonic calls in rats. Behavior Genetics, 35: 85-92.

Brudzynski, S. M., Pniak, A.(2002). Social contacts and production of 50-kHz short ultrasonic calls in adult rats. Journal of Comparative Psychology, 116: 73-82.

Brudzynski, S.M. (2001). Pharmacological and behavioral characteristics of 22 kHz alarm calls in rats. Neurosci Biobehav Rev., 25: 611-617.

Brudzynski, S.M., Kehoe, P. and Callahan, M. (1999). Sonographic structure of isolation-induced ultrasonic calls of rat pups. Developmental Psychobiology, 34: 195-204.

Brudzynski, S.M. and Barnabi, F. (1996). Contribution of the ascending cholinergic pathways in the production of ultrasonic vocalization in the rat. Behavioural Brain Research, 80: 145-152.