Projects

Our goal is to improve our understanding of the neural network that underlies OCD-related behaviors through a series of integrated translational experiments that involve DBS: effects of DBS on extinction recall and avoidance-reward conflict, and functional neuroimaging in OCD patients, (Project 1); circuit modeling of prefrontal and subcortical pathways associated with stimulation sites, (Project 2); recording prefrontal cortical and VS activity associated with an avoidance-reward conflict task and the effects of DBS on these behaviors and on cellular activity, (Project 3); using DBS to map prefrontal areas involved in fear expression, extinction, and transfer of extinction to instrumental avoidance in an animal model of OCD-like behavior, (Project 4); studying systems and cellular electrophysiological responses to DBS to investigate cortical rhythm generation and cortico-cortical interactions at a systems and cellular level, and how such activation leads to functional changes, synaptic plasticity, neuronal synchrony, and changes in axonal and synaptic dynamics (Projects 5 & 6).

project 1 picture

Project 1

BEHAVIORAL AND NEUROIMAGING ENDOPHENOTYPES OF RESPONSE TO DBS IN OCD

project 2 picture

Project 2

neurocircuitry underlying effective dbs for ocd

project 3 picture

PROJECT 3

AVERSION AND REWARD

 

project 4 picture

PROJECT 4

USING MICROSTIMULATION TO MAP PREFRONTAL FEAR MODULES

project 5 picture

PROJECT 5

IN VIVO NEUROCIRCUITRY OF DBS RESPONSE IN RODENTS

project 6 picture

PROJECT 6

NEURONAL AND SYNAPTIC PHYSIOLOGY OF DBS