
Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences
Morrill 4 North N204
639 N Pleasant Street
Amherst, MA 01003
lacreuse@umass.edu
www.umass.edu/psychological-brain-sciences/about/directory/agnes-lacreuse
Hormones & Cognition Lab
Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences
Our lab studies neurocognitive aging in nonhuman primate models, in the context of typical and pathological aging as well as menopause.
Current Research
The marmoset is a small nonhuman primate that is increasingly used in neuroscience research due to its close resemblance to humans in many aspects of physiology, brain organization and behavior. Due to a short lifespan of about 12 years, the marmoset is uniquely suited for aging studies. Three main projects focusing on marmoset neurocognitive aging are ongoing (1) A longitudinal study seeks to identify the biological correlates of sex differences in cognitive and brain aging, using behavioral, physiological, neuroimaging and neurohistological techniques; (2) In a second project, we are developing a marmoset model for menopausal symptoms in order to understand potential interactions between cognitive deficits, sleep disturbances and thermoregulation impairments that are associated with estrogen loss; (3) Recent studies examine the aged marmoset as a model for preclinical Alzheimer's disease, in order to identify behavioral predictors of neuropathology.
Learn more at Hormones & Cognition Lab
Academic Background
- PhD Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France,1994
- Postdoctoral Training: University of Georgia, 1995; Emory University, 1997
- Postdoctoral Training: Yerkes Natl Primate Res Ctr, Emory University, 1997-2002
- Res Assistant Professor, Yerkes Natl Primate Res Ctr, Emory University 2002-2006
- Assistant Professor, University of Massachusetts, 2006-2012
- Associate Professor, University of Massachusetts, 2012-present