The overall goal of our research is the understanding of the role of putative candidate genes for human complex genetic diseases that impair the structural elements connecting the neurons with consequences on brain cognitive systems. Using a wide variety of relevant behavioral paradigms, our laboratory is investigating specific links between cognitive impairments and memory disorders in patients with Down syndrome and behavioral deficits in mouse models of this disease. We are also currently working on candidate genes involved in dendrites/spine dysmorphology and altered neural plasticity in learning and memory brain circuits. Our second research line is directed to the study of panic disorder. We are interested in candidate genes that participate in the dysfunction of brain circuits involved in fear-related memories and in mouse behavioral traits relevant to panic and to anxiety.
Most of our work employs the use of transgenic and knockout mice for genes expressed in the brain, but we also obtain important information about the genetic basis of behavior performing inbred strain surveys and studying recombinant inbred strains. Our experimental approaches include behavioral analysis with multiple assessment tools that will detect basic alterations in nervous system function. Assessment targets are basic neurological function, brainstem-spinal cord reflex, motor function/control centers, exploratory activity, anxiety-related responses, depression, sensorimotor gating, social interactions, and learning and memory. We also use neurohistological and morphometric approaches to determine a structural correlation for the detected phenotypic traits and cellular/molecular biology techniques to get insight into the underlying mechanism.
Last modification:
17/10/2006
