Michael Pollock

Research Interests

My current research interests are in (1) the practical application of mnemonic techniques to enhance classroom learning and (2) how variations in mood are related to changes in sleep and other biopsychological markers. Previous research of mine has involved studying animal models of epilepsy and the brain mechanisms of memory, emotion, and sleep. For example, in 2003 I published findings which identified the location in the rat brain that is responsible for initiating REM sleep and described a technique for rapidly (within a minute) inducing REM sleep by its stimulation.

Representative publications

Mueller, A. D., Pollock, M. S., Lieblich, S. E., Epp, J. R., Galea, L. A., & Mistlberger, R. E. (2008). Sleep deprivation can inhibit adult hippocampal neurogenesis independent of adrenal stress hormones. American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology, 294(5), R1693-R1703.

Hannesson, D. K., Pollock, M. S., Howland, J. G., Mohapel, P., Wallace, A. E., & Corcoran, M. E. (2008). Amygdaloid kindling is anxiogenic but fails to alter object recognition or spatial working memory in rats. Epilepsy & Behavior, 13(1), 52-61.

Webb, I. C., Pollock, M. S., & Mistlberger, R. E. (2006). Modafinil [2-[(diphenylmethyl) sulfinyl] acetamide] and circadian rhythms in syrian hamsters: assessment of the chronobiotic potential of a novel alerting compound. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, 317(2), 882-889.

Pollock, M. S., & Mistlberger, R. E. (2005). Microinjection of neostigmine into the pontine reticular formation of the mouse: Further evaluation of a proposed REM sleep enhancement technique. Brain research, 1031(2), 253-267.

Mistlberger, R. E., Antle, M. C., Webb, I. C., Jones, M., Weinberg, J., & Pollock, M. S. (2003). Circadian clock resetting by arousal in Syrian hamsters: The role of stress and activity. American Journal Of Physiology. Regulatory, Integrative And Comparative Physiology, 285(4), R917-R925.

Pollock, M. S., & Mistlberger, R. E. (2003). Rapid eye movement sleep induction by microinjection of the GABA-A antagonist bicuculline into the dorsal subcoeruleus area of the rat. Brain research, 962(1), 68-77.