Neurogenetics of Cognitive and Affective Disorders Lab

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In his influential book 'Descartes' Error', Antonio Damasio (1994) argued that feeling is more fundamental than logical thought in understanding human behaviour.

Over the past decades, remarkable scientific advancements have significantly deepened our mechanistic understanding of brain disorders. However, the complexity and heterogeneity of human behavior—shaped by intricate interactions between genetic factors, environmental influences, and neural circuitry—remain only partially understood. Many psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly those affecting cognition and affect, continue to pose significant therapeutic challenges, with existing treatments often proving inadequate or inconsistently effective across individuals.

Our research focuses on uncovering the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms that regulate neural plasticity and shape circuit dynamics within the limbic-cortical system, which is critical for stress responsiveness, mood regulation, and emotional processing. Dysregulation within these circuits is implicated in a broad spectrum of psychiatric and neurodevelopmental conditions, manifesting as social and emotional impairments. By elucidating shared molecular and circuit-level mechanisms underlying these disorders, we aim to identify novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Our ultimate goal is to develop more precise diagnostic tools and intervention strategies for conditions such as autism spectrum disorders, major depressive disorder, and affective disorders, thereby advancing both fundamental neuroscience and translational medicine.

We employ a multidisciplinary approach, integrating molecular genetics, neurochemistry, advanced imaging, and bioinformatics to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying complex behavioral phenotypes in rodent models. Our research aims to elucidate how dysregulation of these mechanisms impacts normal brain function and contributes to psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders. Additionally, we are committed to refining behavioral analyses by leveraging high-precision assays that provide spatially and temporally resolved insights over extended observation periods, enabling a deeper understanding of neural circuit dynamics and behavior.

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