CPT’s Mark Spivak Co-Authors Paper Published in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior
CPT’s Mark Spivak, functioning as a research consultant in conjunction with Emory University’s Neuroscience Department, co-authored a sixth research paper published in a prestigious peer reviewed academic journal. The article, entitled “Regional Brain Activity in Awake Unrestrained Dogs,” authored by Peter Cook, PhD, Andrew Brooks, PhD, Mark Spivak, CPT, and Gregory Berns, MD, PhD, describes the process the team employed to become the first research team worldwide to obtain fMRI images of non-human animals without the use of sedation or restraints. The paper also discusses the advantages of the team’s protocol and applications for the methodology.
CPT’s Mark Spivak Co-Authors ONR Funded Research Paper Identifying Dog FFA
CPT’s Mark Spivak, functioning as a research consultant in conjunction with Emory University’s Neuroscience Department, co-authored a fifth research paper published in a prestigious peer reviewed academic journal. The article, entitled “Awake fMRI Reveals a Specialized Region in Dog Temporal Cortex for Face Processing,” co-authored by Dr. Daniel D. Dilks, PhD, Dr. Peter Cook, PhD, […]
Canine fMRI Research Conducted by Mark Spivak Mentioned in Psychology Today
The Emory-CPT canine fMRI research team’s recent project obtained attention from Coren due to his interest in visual processing and human-canine interaction. Coren lauds how using canine fMRI the Emory-CPT team became the first researchers to definitively demonstrate an explicit facial processing area in the canine brain. Coren discussed the uniqueness and difficulty of the process developed by Berns and Spivak, the methodology of the experiment, the results of the experiment, and the importance of the experiment.
The Dog Project Canine Marshmallow Test
In addition to conducting fMRI-based canine neuroscience research, CPT, Dog Star Technologies, and the Emory University Dog Project Team conduct canine psychology research that is behaviorally-based. In September 2014, the mentioned participants conducted behavioral research in conjunction with the University of Arizona and University of Florida psychology departments. The September 2014 experiments that studied behavior within a radial arm maze provided information about the working and spatial memory ability of canines. More recent experiments conducted on March 15 and 29, 2015 studied inhibitory control.
Novel Canine Neuroscience at CPT- GA Tech Visits CPT to Test Sensor Products
The Georgia Tech Brain Lab’s FIDO Project team visited CPT on SU Feb 8 to work with The Dog Project dogs. The FIDO Project is participating in a 2-year canine neuroscience study coordinated by Dog Star Technologies (www.dogstartechnologies.com). As part of the study, the FIDO team is developing sensors that will aid in determining the temperament of a dog by how the dog interacts with each sensor product. Presently, there are two sensor products in the prototype stage, a ball sensor and a tug sensor.
Dog Star Technologies Visits Berkeley, CA
This past week Mark Spivak, Greg Berns, and Andrew Brooks of Dog Star Technologies visited the University of California, Berkeley to conduct fMRI scans of 7 dogs that recently entered the Canine Companions for Independence (CCI) adult training program. The 7 scans that occurred over the weekend of Jan 31- Feb 1 were the first of 50 total scans the group will analyze over a 2-year period.
Whatever You Can Do I Can Do Better!
Whatever you can do I can do better!” Emory University neuroscience professor Danny Dilks poses with Stella the Bouvier before she enters the MRI for the “Danny-Faces” experiment. Stella wears ear plugs covered by vet wrap to provide hearing protection once within the MRI. Danny wears vet wrap simply because he is well coiffed.
CPT- A Leader in Canine Neuroscience Research: The Danny Faces Experiment
The Danny Faces experiment is designed to identify the canine FFA (fusiform face area) and to better understand the operation of the canine FFA. The FFA is responsible for facial identification and processing. The first photo shows Kady observing non-facial stimuli. The second photo shows Kady observing facial stimuli. By analyzing brain activity that occurs exclusively upon exposure to the still photos and video of faces, as compared to the non-facial images, we can locate the FFA!
CPT Trainer Patricia King Appears on CBS This Morning
CPT Trainer Patricia King and her Golden/Lab Mix Kady appeared in a segment on CBS This Morning entitled, “The Science of Puppy Love: Brain Scans Reveal Emotions of Dogs.” CBS This Morning correspondent Terrell Brown interviewed Patricia regarding her involvement in the Emory-CPT Neuroscience Project and the Project’s quest to understand dogs’ emotions and how they love us.
Emory-CPT Neuroscience Project Receives Significant Grant from the Office of Naval Research (ONR)
On October 1, 2012 the Emory-CPT Neuroscience Team received notification from the Office of Naval Research (ONR) that the team was awarded a 3-year $988,000 grant to use awake, non-restrained fMRI to study canine brain responses, especially those dealing with olfaction. The project team will also study canine cognition, emotions, sensory perception, and receptive communication. […]
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