Research

Neurobiology of Decision-Making and Interoception
Mounting evidence suggests that physiological states of the body—such as those of the heart, gut, and immune system—systematically influence decision-making in both humans and animals. However, the neurobiological mechanisms underlying this phenomenon remain largely unknown. To address this century-old question, our lab leverages modern neurophysiological techniques and molecular tools to investigate the role of relevant neural networks in a highly translational species: non-human primates.
References:
Fujimoto A, et al., PNAS (2021)
Fujimoto A, et al., J Neurosci (2019)

Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders and Their Treatment
Addictive disorders, whether behavioral or substance-related, can have devastating effects on health, finances, and social relationships. While emerging neuromodulatory techniques such as deep brain stimulation and genetic interventions show promise, they have yet to be established as standard treatments, partly due to a lack of supporting animal studies. Our lab uses viral tools, such as chemogenetics, to develop animal models of behavioral addiction and to validate the efficacy of neuromodulatory techniques as potential treatments for addictive disorders.
References:
Fujimoto SH, et al., bioRxiv (2024)
Elorette, Fujimoto A, et al., Nat Commun (2024)
Fujimoto A, et al., Transl Psych (2017)

Behavioral and Neural Pharmacology
Functional MRI is a non-invasive, translational tool that allows us to assess brain activity in both animals and humans in a comparable manner. We use this technique in combination with a wide array of behavioral assays to establish a high-throughput drug screening platform. By integrating this approach into traditional drug development pipelines, we aim to accelerate clinical applications.
References:
Fujimoto A, et al., J Neurosci (2025)
Fujimoto A, et al., J Neurosci (2022)