research overview
- My research deals with identifying the molecular mechanisms involved in the manifestation of synaptic plasticity and memory in human neurological diseases. I have focused on identifying specific molecular lesions in neuronal signaling pathways and how these play a role in the manifestation of cellular and behavioral deficits in disorders and diseases such as Down syndrome (DS) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). I use mouse disease and mutant models in combination with behavioral, genetic, and pharmacological approaches to address modeled behavioral deficits and then translate this work to therapies aimed at alleviating human symptoms of neurological disorders and psychiatric disease. Our recent studies have expanded into sleep and astrocyte biology.