One of the most common and distressing co-occurring mental health issues in people with Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is anxiety. Anxiety disorders are present in at least 50% of people with ASD significantly affecting their quality of life. The role of amygdala dysfunction is increasingly being recognized as one of the major contributing factors for disturbances in processing of emotions connected with ASD as well as with anxiety. The project aims to study molecular mechanisms behind the pathological development of amygdala. State-of-the-art molecular and genetic toolsets, imaging and electrophysiological methods in addition to behavioral studies in animal models will be combined to understand ASD related pathophysiology. The identification of specific molecules involved in regulation of pathological development leading abnormal behaviors or responses to environmental cues will provide potential approaches to targeted therapy.

2021

2023