Dr. Andrew Weeks
Areas of Specialization:
Behavioural neuroscienceneural basis of learning and memoryanimal models of fear and anxietyanimal models of maternal behaviour
Research Interests:
Neurobiology of Learning and MemorySynaptic Structural Change during Neural PlasticityEffects of Environmental Toxins on Learning and Memory
Current & Future Research:
Nipissing University (July 2000 - Present)
As an Associate Professor of Psychology I am continuing my research on the synaptic basis of learning and memory. I am currently collaborating with colleagues at the University of Manitoba, the University of Southern California, the Open University in the United Kingdom, and the University of Toronto on several distinct projects.
Open University, United Kingdom (Summer 2008)
As a visiting Professor (rank Senior Lecturer) working with Dr. Michael Stewart I acquired research skills associated with various forms of immuno-transmission electron microscopy.
University of Southern California (Dec. 1999 – June 2000)
I completed a post-doctoral project that involved a collaboration between the laboratories of Dr. Richard Thompson at the University of Southern California and Dr. Ted Petit at the University of Toronto. In that project I examined neural tissue thought to support the classically conditioned eye-blink response in the rabbit.
University of Toronto (Sept. 1994 – Dec. 1999)
I conducted research in the laboratory of Dr. Ted Petit on the neurological basis of learning and memory. The main research project involved a detailed analysis of synaptic morphology in the hippocampus following long-term potentiation (a model for long-term memory). During the course of this research I became proficient in transmission electron microscopy, digital imaging, and morphological quantification techniques. Secondary projects included an examination of the effects of toxins on animal learning and work with human clinical populations at the Clarke Institute of Psychiatry.
Nipissing University (Sept. 1992 - June 1994)
As a member of the Nipissing University Neuroscience Research Unit, I developed and completed several research projects investigating pharmacological aspects of neural plasticity in rats. Skills obtained include the design and analysis of experiments, behavioural testing, drug preparation, injection techniques, free hand brain dissection, and histological analysis.
Peer Reviewed Publications
Dalzell, L., Connor, S., Penner, M., Saari, M.J., LeBoutillier, J.C., and Weeks, A.C.W. (2011) Fear conditioning is associated with synaptogenesis in the lateral amygdale. Synapse, 65, 513–519.
Connor, S., Bloomfield, J., LeBoutillier, J.C., Thompson, R.F., Petit, T.L., and Weeks, A.C.W. (2009) Eye-blink conditioning is associated with a down regulation of synaptic number in the molecular layer of the rabbit cerebellar cortex. Behavioral Neuroscience. 123, 856–862.
Mirza, R.S., Green, W.W., Conner, S., Weeks, A.C.W., Wood, C.M. and Pyle, G.G. (2009) Do you smell what I smell? Olfactory impairment in wild yellow perch from metal-contaminated waters. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 72, 677-683.
Weeks, A.C.W., Connor, S., Hinchcliff, R, LeBoutillier, J.C., Thompson, R.F., and Petit, T.L. (2007) Eye-blink classical conditioning is associated with changes in synaptic ultrastructure in the interpositus nuclei of the rabbit cerebellum. Learning and Memory, 14, 385-389.
Connor S., Williams, P.T.J., Armstrong, B., Petit, T.L., Ivanco, T.L., and Weeks, A.C.W. (2006) Long-term potentiation is associated with changes in synaptic ultrastructure in the rat neocortex. Synapse 59:378–382.
Weeks, A.C.W., Ivanco, T.L., LeBoutillier, J.C., Marrone, D.F., Racine, R.J., and Petit, T.L. (2003) Unique changes in synapse morphology following tetanization under pharmacological blockade. Synapse, 47, 77-86.
Weeks, A.C.W., Ivanco, T.L., LeBoutillier, J.C., Racine, R.J., and Petit, T.L. (2001) Sequential changes in the synaptic structural profile occur following long-term potentiation in the rat dentate gyrus: III.The late maintenance phase. Synapse, 40, 74-84.
Weeks, A.C.W., Ivanco, T.L., LeBoutillier, J.C., Racine, R.J., and Petit, T.L. (2000) Sequential changes in the synaptic structural profile occur following long-term potentiation in the rat dentate gyrus: II.The induction / early maintenance phase. Synapse, 36, 286-296.
Weeks, A.C.W., Ivanco, T.L., LeBoutillier, J.C., Racine, R.J., and Petit, T.L. (1999) Sequential changes in the synaptic structural profile occur following long-term potentiation in the rat dentate gyrus: I.The intermediate maintenance phase. Synapse, 31, 97-107.
Weeks, A.C.W., Ivanco, T.L., LeBoutillier, J.C., Racine, R.J., and Petit, T.L. (1998) The degree of potentiation is associated with synaptic number during the maintenance of long-term potentiation in the rat dentate gyrus. Brain Research, 798, 211-216.
Brooks, W.J., Weeks, A.C.W., LeBoutillier, J.C., and Petit, T.L. (1997) Altered NMDA sensitivity and learning following chronic developmental NMDA antagonism. Physiology and Behavior, 62: 955-962.
Submitted or In Preparation
Goodwin, S.W., Henderson, Y., Stillar, A., Parr, A., and Weeks, A.C.W. Fear conditioning is associated with changes in synaptic number in the nucleus accumbens of the rat. Synapse (submitted).
Enaohwo, O., Henderson, Y., Parr, A., Goodwin, S., Stillar, A, and Weeks, A.C.W. Onset of maternal behaviour is associated with change in synaptic compliment in the medial preoptic area of the hypothalamus. Neuroscience (submitted).
Books and Chapters
Weeks, A.C.W. (2001) Synapse ultrastructure. International Encyclopaedia of the Social & Behavioural Sciences, Smelser and Baltes eds. Pergamon: New York.
Invited Lectures
Weeks, A.C.W. (2008) An examination of synaptic ultrastructural change following various forms of learning and neural activation. Life Sciences Department Seminar, Open University, Milton Keynes, UK.
Weeks, A.C.W. (2007) A comparison of the synaptic ultrastructural changes that accompany long-term potentiation and learning. Neuroscience Research Unit Conference – 30 years, Nipissing University, North Bay, ON.
Weeks, A.C.W. (2003) Mapping the time sequence of synaptic ultrastructural change following physiological potentiation and learning. Winter Conference on Neural Plasticity, Guadeloupe, French Antilles. Note: Modified version of talk presented by Diano Marrone.
Weeks, A.C.W. (1998) Synaptic structural plasticity following long-term potentiation. Neuroplasticity Conference of the American Physical Therapy Association Section on Research, Newport, Rhode Island, USA.
Weeks, A.C.W. (1998) Structural Synaptic Plasticity following Long-term Potentiation. Research Group in Brain and Behavior, University of Toronto.
Weeks, A.C.W. (1997) The ways in which synapses change after neural stimulation in the hippocampus: A structure important for learning and memory. Faculty Research Seminar at Nipissing University.
Conference Presentations
Nussey, C., Csuzdi, N., Stillar, B., Stillar, A., Weeks, A., and Saari, M. (2012) Housing environment, behaviour, and the dorsal and ventral hippocampus. 1st Annual North Bay Regional Health Centre Research Conference, North Bay, ON.
Weeks, A.C.W., Enaohwo, O., Henderson, Y., Parr, A., Goodwin, S., Stillar, A., & Saari, M. J. (2012). Synaptic changes in the medial preoptic area following the onset of maternal behaviour in the rat. 1st Annual North Bay Regional Health Centre Research Conference, North Bay, ON.
Mountain, N., Stillar, A., Weeks, A.C.W., & Saari. M.J. (2011). Volume dependent fissioning in planaria (Dugesia dorotocephala). Society for Neuroscience Abstracts, 37.
Weeks, A. C., Enaohwo, O., Henderson, Y., Parr, A., Goodwin, S., Stillar, A., & Saari, M. J. (2011). Synaptic changes in the medial preoptic area following the onset of maternal behaviour in the rat. Society for Neuroscience Abstracts, 37.
Parr, A., Goodwin, S., Henderson, Y., Stillar, A., Weeks, A.C. (2010) Fear conditioning is associated with changes in synaptic number in the rat nucleus accumbens. Society for Neuroscience Abstracts, 36.
Weeks, A.C.W., Bloomfield, J.L., Henderson, Y., Mahedo, C., LeBoutillier, J.C., Saari, M.J. (2009) Synaptic ultrastructural plasticity following the onset of maternal behaviour. Society for Neuroscience Abstracts, 35.
Bloomfield, J.L., Luckett, K., Edwards, J.A., Thomas, W., Stillar, A., LeBoutillier, Weeks, A.C.W. (2007) Synaptic ultrastructural plasticity in the medial preoptic area following the onset of maternal behaviour. Society for Neuroscience Abstracts, 33.
Connor, S., Leboutillier, J.C., Petit, T.L., Thompson, R.F., and Weeks, A.C.W. (2006) Eye-blink conditioning is associated with changes in synaptic ultrastructure in the rabbit cerebellar cortex. Society for Neuroscience Abstracts, 32.
Connor, S., Williams, P., Armstrong, B., Ivanco, T.L., and Weeks, A.C.W. (2005) Changes in synaptic morphology are associated with cortical long-term potentiation in the anesthetized rat. Society for Neuroscience Abstracts, 31.
Dalzell, L.D., Penner, M., Stickland, T., Saari, M.J., and Weeks, A.C.W. (2004) An examination of the interaction of fear conditioning and environmental enrichment on several behavioral and histological measures. Society for Neuroscience Abstracts, 30.
Saari, M., Stickland, T., Jackson, K., and Weeks, A. (2003) Discrimination learning is possible under isoflurane anesthesia. Society for Neuroscience Abstracts, 29.
Stickland, T., Sweeney, M., Weeks, A., and Saari, M. (2002) Regional cerebral metabolism during isoflurane anesthesia in rats. Society for Neuroscience Abstracts, 28.
Weeks, A.C.W., Ivanco, T.L., LeBoutillier, J.C., Racine, R.J., and Petit, T.L. (2001) Unique changes in synapse morphology following tetanization under pharmacological blockade. Society for Neuroscience Abstracts, 27.
Weeks, A.C.W., Ivanco, T.L., LeBoutillier, J.C., Racine, R.J., and Petit, T.L. (2000) Synaptic morphology during the long-term maintenance of LTP: Structural changes 5 days post-LTP induction. Society for Neuroscience Abstracts, 26.
Weeks, A.C.W., Ivanco, T.L., LeBoutillier, J.C., Racine, R.J., and Petit, T.L. (1999) Synaptic structure during the induction/early maintenance of LTP: Specific morphological changes 1 hour post-LTP induction. Society for Neuroscience Abstracts, 25.
Weeks, A.C.W., Ivanco, T.L., LeBoutillier, J.C., Racine, R.J., and Petit, T.L. (1998) Synaptic structure during the maintenance of LTP: Degree of potentiation is associated with the number of synapses per neuron. Society for Neuroscience Abstracts, 24.
Weeks, A.C.W., Ivanco, T.L., LeBoutillier, J.C., Racine, R.J., and Petit, T.L. (1997) A profile of synaptic structure during the intermediate maintenance of long-term potentiation in the rat dentate gyrus In Vivo. Society for Neuroscience Abstracts, 23.
Kumar, A.S., Weeks, A.C.W., LeBoutillier, J.C., and Petit, T.L. (1997) Chronic developmental co-administration of lead and MK-801 caused a specific increase in NMDA induced seizure activity. Society for Neuroscience Abstracts, 23.
Fedoroff, J.P., Weeks, A., and Sandor, P. (1997) Paraphilias in Tourette's syndrome patients. International Academy of Sex Research: Twenty-third annual Meeting, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Fedoroff, P. J., Weeks, A., and Sandor, P. (1997) The prevalence of sexual disorder's in Tourette's syndrome. American Psychiatric Association Meeting, 35, 415.
Weeks, A., Ivanco, T.L., LeBoutillier, J., Racine, R.J., and Petit, T.L. (1996) Synaptic structural basis of LTP: Specific morphological changes 24 hours post-LTP induction in the rat dentate gyrus. Society for Neuroscience Abstracts, 22.
Petit, T.L., Weeks, A.C.W., and Racine, R. (1996) LTP and synaptic structural plasticity: A time course study. Winter Conference on Neural Plasticity, 8.
Benevides, T., Weeks, A., Frankham, P., Milburn, B., Fairy, B., and Saari, M. (1994) Neonatal co-administration of monosodium glutamate and aspartame does not cause significant behavioural deficits. Brain, Behaviour, and Cognitive Science (abstracts), 4.
Weeks, A., Milburn, B., Benevides, T., and Saari, M. (1994) MK-801 toxicity varies with environmental temperature in the neonatal rat. Brain, Behaviour, and Cognitive Science, 4.
Weeks, A., Benevides, T., Rioux, S., McClenaghan, G., Frankham, P., Fairy, B., Milburn, B., Ridley, L., Bannerman, D., Telford, R., Kish, S., and Saari, M. (1993) Some correlates of MK-801 toxicity when administered to preweanling rats. Society for Neuroscience Abstracts, 19.