Systems Neurobiology

The goal of our research is to better understand the molecular mechanisms of depression and of new fast-acting antidepressant treatments (deep brain stimulation [DBS], ketamine, subunit selective NMDA receptor antagonists). We use animal models of this disorder to identify the ways in which long-term exposure to stress changes the brain to lead to depression-like syndromes. In this regard, we also study in detail the role of the projections from the prefrontal cortex to the monoaminergic nuclei of the brainstem in the pathophysiology of depression and its pharmacological treatment. For this purpose, we use several behavioral, cellular and molecular techniques such as in vivo microdialysis, electrophysiology, Western blotting, in situ hypridization, neurimaging. Our lab also focuses on epigenetic changes present in depressive patients and animal models.