Many neuropsychiatric disorders have their origins early in life and involve long-lasting pathological changes in limbic neuronal networks underlying behavior. This project aims at characterizing the synapse- and circuit level mechanisms governing functional development of the limbic circuitry, focusing on emerging pathological phenotypes induced by early life stress. Further, the aim is to understand whether kainate-type of glutamate receptors, implicated in structural and functional plasticity of developing neural circuits, contribute to remodeling of neural circuits during adverse conditions. Local and cell-type specific genetic manipulation will reveal how synapse and circuit level mechanisms correlate with animal behavior. The results will help to unravel the developmental mechanisms predisposing to neuropsychiatric disorders and open up new prospects for targeted therapeutic applications.

2020

2024