Neural Circuits of Emotion

We investigate how neural circuits and neuroimmune interactions regulate emotional and cognitive functions in health and disease. Our research focuses on how microglia modulate microcircuit plasticity during emotional behaviors and neuroinflammation, and how these processes contribute to psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders.

We combine in vivo calcium imaging using miniature microscopes and two-photon microscopy with optogenetics, behavioral phenotyping, monosynaptic tracing, and transcriptomics to study adaptive and maladaptive brain plasticity.

Our aim is to identify neural circuits underlying emotional and cognitive dysfunction in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease and determine how microglia reshape circuit plasticity during disease progression. Ultimately, we seek to identify pharmacological strategies targeting inhibitory microcircuit vulnerability and microglial overactivation.

By studying neural circuit dysfunction and neuroimmune mechanisms, we aim to contribute to MultiPark’s goals to better understand neurodegenerative disorders and identify therapeutic strategies that preserve circuit integrity underlying cognitive and emotional function.