The Fudge Lab studies the Anatomy and neurochemistry of brain regions associated with symptoms in major psychiatric illnesses such as schizophrenia and mood disorders. Studies include the role of the amygdala in aberrant emotional processing which plays a key role in symptoms such as psychosis, and the severe mood and anxiety disorders. Areas of interest include the afferent influence of the amygdala and related limbic structures on the dopamine system, and defining new limbic regions of the striatum based on amygdaloid inputs. Ongoing studies also include identifying amygdaloid subregions whose molecular and connectional features place them in a vulnerable position for aberrant plastic changes after exposure to chronic stress.
These studies are conducted in collaboration with other members of the Laboratory for Stress and Resilience in the Department of Psychiatry (Mind-Body Center), which focuses on mechanisms of stress response and successful coping across species.
