Terje Sagvolden
Encyclopedia
Terje Sagvolden was a Norwegian
behavioral neuroscientist
, a professor at the Universities of Oslo
and Tromsø
, and adjunct professor
at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
, which he obtained in 1979 from the University of Oslo based on a thesis entitled Behavioral Changes in Rats with Septal Lesions: Effects of Water-Deprivation Level and Intensity of Electrical Shocks. Sagvolden is best known for the discovery that the SHR rat strain
is hyperactive. Over the next decades, he then went on to demonstrate that this strain is a valid animal model
for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Subsequently, Sagvolden also showed that the WKY/NCrl rat strain showed inattention
, but no impulsivity
or hyperactivity, and validated this strain as an animal model of inattentive ADHD. Over the course of his career, Sagvolden worked not only with rats, but also with humans and pigeons.
Behavioral and Brain Functions
, from the time of its establishment in 2005 to his death in 2011. In 1989 he co-edited, together with Trevor Archer, a book summarizing current research on ADHD, followed in 1998 by a special issue on ADHD for Behavioural Brain Research
.
from 1986-1989 and its secretary from 1990 to 1995. Over the last two decades of his life, he was an active supporter of the Society of Neuroscientists of Africa (SONA) and in 1993 played a significant role in its founding. He was subsequently member of SONA's International Advisory Committee and an official internal adviser from 1999-2004. In 2000, Sagvolden organized the first IBRO
school in Africa at the University of the North
(Pietersburg
, South Africa). In addition, Sagvolden was one of the "founding fathers" of the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies
, where he represented Norway on the council from the foundation of the federation until his death.
Outside of the scientific community, Sagvolden was also active in local politics. He was a member of the Lier
municipal council
for the Conservative Municipal Group from 2003 until his death, and served in the areas of health, culture, childhood, education. In 2003, he was one of the top five candidates to run for mayor.
, Sagvolden published over 90 articles in peer-reviewed
scientific journals. , these articles have been cited over 2500 times, resulting in an h-index
of 26. His three most-cited publications (> 150 times) are:
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
behavioral neuroscientist
Behavioral neuroscience
Behavioral neuroscience, also known as biological psychology, biopsychology, or psychobiology is the application of the principles of biology , to the study of physiological, genetic, and developmental mechanisms of behavior in human and non-human animals...
, a professor at the Universities of Oslo
University of Oslo
The University of Oslo , formerly The Royal Frederick University , is the oldest and largest university in Norway, situated in the Norwegian capital of Oslo. The university was founded in 1811 and was modelled after the recently established University of Berlin...
and Tromsø
University of Tromsø
The University of Tromsø is the world's northernmost university. Located in the city of Tromsø, Norway, it was established in 1968, and opened in 1972. It is one of eight universities in Norway. The University of Tromsø is the largest research and educational institution in northern Norway...
, and adjunct professor
Professors in the United States
In the U.S., "Professors" commonly occupy any of several positions in academia, typically the ranks of Assistant Professor, Associate Professor or Full Professor....
at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
Research
Sagvolden's research career started with his work for his PhDDoctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
, which he obtained in 1979 from the University of Oslo based on a thesis entitled Behavioral Changes in Rats with Septal Lesions: Effects of Water-Deprivation Level and Intensity of Electrical Shocks. Sagvolden is best known for the discovery that the SHR rat strain
Spontaneously hypertensive rat
Spontaneously hypertensive rat is an animal model of essential hypertension, used to study cardiovascular disease. It is the most studied model of hypertension measured as number of publications...
is hyperactive. Over the next decades, he then went on to demonstrate that this strain is a valid animal model
Animal model
An animal model is a living, non-human animal used during the research and investigation of human disease, for the purpose of better understanding the disease without the added risk of causing harm to an actual human being during the process...
for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Subsequently, Sagvolden also showed that the WKY/NCrl rat strain showed inattention
Attention
Attention is the cognitive process of paying attention to one aspect of the environment while ignoring others. Attention is one of the most intensely studied topics within psychology and cognitive neuroscience....
, but no impulsivity
Impulsivity
Impulsivity is a personality trait characterized by the inclination of an individual to initiate behavior without adequate forethought as to the consequences of their actions, acting on the spur of the moment. Eysenck and Eysenck related impulsivity to risk-taking, lack of planning, and making up...
or hyperactivity, and validated this strain as an animal model of inattentive ADHD. Over the course of his career, Sagvolden worked not only with rats, but also with humans and pigeons.
Editorial activities
Sagvolden was the founding editor-in-chief of the scientific journalScientific journal
In academic publishing, a scientific journal is a periodical publication intended to further the progress of science, usually by reporting new research. There are thousands of scientific journals in publication, and many more have been published at various points in the past...
Behavioral and Brain Functions
Behavioral and Brain Functions
Behavioral and Brain Functions is a peer-reviewed scientific journal published by BioMed Central with Open Access to all content. The journal publishes articles on "all aspects of neurobiology where the unifying theme is behavior or behavioral dysfunction"...
, from the time of its establishment in 2005 to his death in 2011. In 1989 he co-edited, together with Trevor Archer, a book summarizing current research on ADHD, followed in 1998 by a special issue on ADHD for Behavioural Brain Research
Behavioural Brain Research
Behavioural Brain Research is a peer-reviewed scientific journal published by Elsevier. The journal publishes articles in the field of behavioural neuroscience...
.
Community service
Sagvolden was a member at large of the executive committee of the European Brain and Behaviour SocietyEuropean Brain and Behaviour Society
The European Brain and Behaviour Society is a scientific society founded in 1968 whose stated purpose is the exchange of information between European scientists interested in the relationships between brain mechanisms and behaviour. It is the oldest neuroscience society in the world...
from 1986-1989 and its secretary from 1990 to 1995. Over the last two decades of his life, he was an active supporter of the Society of Neuroscientists of Africa (SONA) and in 1993 played a significant role in its founding. He was subsequently member of SONA's International Advisory Committee and an official internal adviser from 1999-2004. In 2000, Sagvolden organized the first IBRO
International Brain Research Organization
The International Brain Research Organization was founded in 1961 in response to the growing demand from neuroscientists in many countries for the creation of a central organization that would cut across world boundaries and improve communication and collaboration among brain researchers...
school in Africa at the University of the North
University of Limpopo
The University of Limpopo is a university in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. It was formed on 1 January 2005, by the merger of the University of the North and the Medical University of South Africa...
(Pietersburg
Polokwane
Polokwane, meaning "Place of Safety",is a city in the Polokwane Local Municipality and the capital of the Limpopo province, South Africa. It is also often referred to by its former name, Pietersburg. Polokwane is a major urban centre, the biggest and most important north of Gauteng. The population...
, South Africa). In addition, Sagvolden was one of the "founding fathers" of the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies
Federation of European Neuroscience Societies
The Federation of European Neuroscience Societies is an international federation of scientific societies for basic scientists and physicians whose research is focused on the brain and nervous system.- History :...
, where he represented Norway on the council from the foundation of the federation until his death.
Outside of the scientific community, Sagvolden was also active in local politics. He was a member of the Lier
Lier, Norway
Lier is an affluent municipality in Buskerud county, Norway. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Lier. The municipality of Lier was established on 1 January 1838...
municipal council
Municipal council
A municipal council is the local government of a municipality. Specifically the term can refer to the institutions of various countries that can be translated by this term...
for the Conservative Municipal Group from 2003 until his death, and served in the areas of health, culture, childhood, education. In 2003, he was one of the top five candidates to run for mayor.
Notable works
According to the Web of ScienceWeb of Science
ISI Web of Knowledge is an academic citation indexing and search service, which is combined with web linking and provided by Thomson Reuters. Web of Knowledge coverage encompasses the sciences, social sciences, arts and humanities. It provides bibliographic content and the tools to access, analyze,...
, Sagvolden published over 90 articles in peer-reviewed
Peer review
Peer review is a process of self-regulation by a profession or a process of evaluation involving qualified individuals within the relevant field. Peer review methods are employed to maintain standards, improve performance and provide credibility...
scientific journals. , these articles have been cited over 2500 times, resulting in an h-index
H-index
The h-index is an index that attempts to measure both the productivity and impact of the published work of a scientist or scholar. The index is based on the set of the scientist's most cited papers and the number of citations that they have received in other publications...
of 26. His three most-cited publications (> 150 times) are: