University of Virginia-Main Campus · NeuroscienceHippocampal Neurogenesis and Social Memory Lab
Elise C Cope · Charlottesville, Virginia
Research Focus
Dr. Elise Cope's lab at the University of Virginia focuses on understanding how new neurons in the hippocampus contribute to social memory. This research is particularly important for addressing social memory deficits found in various neuropsychiatric disorders like autism and schizophrenia. By studying the connections between these new neurons and specific brain regions, the lab aims to develop strategies to improve social interactions in affected individuals.
hippocampal neurogenesissocial memoryneuropsychiatric disordersCA2 regionadult-born neurons
Research Aims
3AIM 01Investigate the role of adult-born neurons in forming and recalling social memories.
AIM 02Examine how connections between adult-born neurons and CA2 neurons influence social memory function.
AIM 03Develop strategies to enhance hippocampal neuron activity to improve social memory deficits.
Skills the Lab Values
neural circuit manipulationmouse modelsbehavioral testingdrug administrationelectrophysiologyimmunohistochemistrytransgenic techniqueschemogeneticsdata analysis in neuroscienceadvanced microscopy techniques
Output against the department
Publications34bottom 6% of dept.628th of 671
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations1.1kbottom 6% of dept.634th of 671
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.