University of Arizona · PsychologyCognitive Horizon Lab
Carol A. Barnes · Tucson, Arizona
Research Focus
Dr. Carol A. Barnes leads a research lab at the University of Arizona focusing on understanding how aging affects cognitive function and memory. The lab investigates the biological underpinnings of cognitive decline in older adults and explores ways to enhance brain health through precision medicine. By utilizing advanced experimental techniques in animal models and imaging technologies in humans, the lab aims to improve our understanding of age-related cognitive impairments and develop personalized interventions for conditions like Alzheimer’s disease.
cognitive agingbrain healthAlzheimer's diseasememory circuitsbig dataprecision medicinespatial cognitionneurobehavioral relationsNPTX2cognitive impairment
Research Aims
3AIM 01Investigate how brain circuits involved in spatial cognition change in aging rats.
AIM 02Examine the effects of aging on memory patterns in nonhuman primates during free movement.
AIM 03Explore the neural mechanisms behind navigation deficits in older adults using high-resolution imaging.
Skills the Lab Values
experimental designanimal behavior studiesneuroimagingRNA and protein profilingwireless neural recordingvirtual reality environmentsdata analysisbehavioral assessmentshippocampal recordingsstatistical modeling
Output against the department
Publications359top 11% of dept.32nd of 296
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations42ktop 5% of dept.14th of 296
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.