Neural Basis of Behavior
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Prof. Dr. Carlos Alos-Ferrer Research: Carlos Alós-Ferrer’s research foci are neuroeconomics, decision theory, game theory, evolution and learning in games and markets. Neuroeconomics studies the underlying neural processes of decision-making within today’s economic environment. Essential to the further progress of this field is the construction of empirically informed, testable models that connect the level of neural and mental processes underlying decision-making with the descriptive models of choice characterizing modern economics. Topics: Neural Basis of Behavior, Cognitive Neuroscience Publications: https://www.econ.uzh.ch Website: https://www.econ.uzh.ch |
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PD Dr. Irmgard Amrein Research focus: We investigate eco-evolutionary adaptations in the structure of the mammalian hippocampus – How do structural specializations relate to the evolutionary history of animals? How do structural specializations translate into behaviors that allow the animals to successfully compete in their ecological niches? We perform comparative quantitative analysis of functionally defined neuron populations that also includes neurons that are born in adult animals. Most of the animals we study are wild-living species that show unique environmental adaptations. We have been able to define anatomical patterns that characterize taxonomic groups, and within these groups, habitat requirements that can shape quantitative relations between hippocampal cell populations - revealing surprising features that only nature is able to create. Keywords: hippocampus, behavior, adaptation, phylogeny, stereology, immunohistochemistry, neurogenesis Topic: Neural Basis of Behavior Publications: PubMed
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Dr. Giovanni Bertolini, Junior Group Leader Research Focus: The aim of the Swiss Space Travel and AiR Sickness (SSTARS) group is to investigate the mechanism of habituation and learning of self-motion perception in novel motion environments. A novel motion environment is any condition in which our brain fails to correctly interpret the motion stimuli. Such environments (from cars and ships to virtual reality and artificial gravity environments) cause motion sickness, spatial disorientation and other syndromes affecting performance and social interaction (sopite syndrome, mal de débarquement). Within our research activity, we develop non-invasive habituation protocols to counteract these conditions. The applications range from vestibular rehabilitation, acceptance of novel emerging technology (self-driving cars, virtual reality systems), quality of life and safety in transport systems. An important focus is on vestibular physiology for aviation and space flight (in flight, micro- and artificial gravity) in collaboration with the German Aerospace Center – DLR and the Swiss Aeromedical Institute. Keywords: Motion sickness, vestibular space physiology, artificial gravity, virtual reality sickness, self-motion perception, sensory habituation Topics: Sensory systems, Disorder of the nervous system, Neural Basis of Behavior Publications: Google Scholar
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Prof. Dr. Johannes Bohacek Research Focus: Exposure to stressful experiences is one of the major risk factors for developing mood and anxiety disorders. My group uses mice to study the organism-wide consequences of stress in a complex mammalian system, with a focus on the locus coeruleus – noradrenaline system. In our innovative research program we combine modern multi-omic techniques (from single-cell sequencing to epigenomic screens) with circuit-neuroscience tools (e.g. optogenetics, photometry) to dissect the mechanisms that distinguish healthy stress coping from maladaptive stress-related disease. Because stress is a whole-organism response, in which the central nervous system tightly regulates energy homeostasis across the body, our work spans three major levels of analysis, from single cells to brain circuits and ultimately to behavior. Keywords: stress, anxiety, transcriptome, hippocampus, epigenetic inheritance, epigenetics Topics: Neural Basis of Behavior, Disorders of the Nervous System, Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience Publications:PubMed Website: http://www.bohaceklab.ethz.ch
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Prof. Dr. Steven Brown Research Focus: Humans are diurnal animals. Not only is one-third of our lives spent asleep, but nearly all aspects of physiology vary according to time of day, directed by biological “circadian” clocks in nearly all cells of the brain and body. Our laboratory is interested in the molecular mechanisms that govern these clocks and their control of sleep, using a mixture of biochemistry, microscopy and electrophysiology in genetically modified mice and human cellular model systems. For example, we have shown recently how particular families of ion channels control cortical oscillations during sleep, how RNAs are directed to synapses by clock-associated proteins, and that dynamic DNA methylation in the brain can reprogram daily transcriptional cycles. Keywords: Sleep, circadian clock, transcription, inhibitory synapse, IPSC, RNA transport, metabolism Topics: Sleep and Sleep Disorders, Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, Neural Basis of Behavior Publications & Website: www.sbrownlab.com |
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ETH Zurich, Department of Health Sciences and Technology (D-HEST) Research focus: Neural algorithms and behaviour How does the brain solve complex problems? The Burdakov lab studies brain computations that convert sensory context into appropriate actions, appetites, and arousal. Our experiments focus on specific genetically-defined brain cells, but our questions are more general, overlapping with fields such as robotics (what control algorithms are best for performance in an uncertain world? what are their strengths and weaknesses?). To answer such questions, the lab studies how information is represented by specific neural clusters to sway decisions. This is achieved by tracking real-time brain network dynamics (using in vivo genetically-targeted calcium reporters, electrophysiology) associated with quantified voluntary actions, while manipulating sensory contexts (internal and external body state) and genetically- and temporally-defined elements of neural computations (using optogenetics, chemogenetics). These sensorimotor measurements are interpreted with the help of computational simulations that formally assess the performance of particular sensorimotor algorithms in defined tasks. By elucidating what different parts of the brain do, how they do it, and what makes them perform well or badly, this work provides fundamental information that can be used for designing better medical treatments for brain disorders. Topics: Neural basis of behaviour, computation and modelling, molecular and cellular neuroscience, disorders of the nervous systems Publications: PubMed Website: https://www.hest.ethz.ch
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Prof. Dr. phil. Moritz M. Daum Research Focus: The overarching aim of the Research Group “Developmental Psychology” is to address the roots of infants’ and young children’s perception and understanding of their social world. The understanding of others as social agents is one of the most fundamental skills in our everyday social life. It is crucial for any engagement in cooperative and communicative activities. In our research, we are particularly interested in the mechanisms that form the bedrock of infants’ action perception, the interrelation of infants’ early action perception comprehension to the control of their own actions, the selective implementation of observed actions in one’s own actions. Current projects focus on the (neuro-)cognitive processes underlying infants’ and young children’s action understanding, the interrelation of action understanding and action performance across the whole lifespan, the interrelation of language and action in development, and the development of the self. Keywords: developmental psychology, infancy, life span, cognitive development, action perception language, imitation, eye tracking, EEG Topics: Development and Regeneration, Neural Basis of Behavior, Cognitive Neuroscience Publications: PubMed Website: http://www.psychologie.uzh.ch Lab: http://www.kleineweltentdecker.ch
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Dr. Daniel Düring, Junior Group Leader Research focus: My research focuses on resolving the structural and molecular profile and dynamic changes of neural circuits underlying vocal learning in songbirds. Songbird vocal behavior is the prime model system for studying the neural mechanisms underlying human speech development. Birdsong research holds the potential to help us understand healthy vocal systems and design better treatments for speech and language disorders, which affect millions of children worldwide. To investigate the brain circuits controlling birdsong, I use state of the art techniques, some of which I have developed in the past years, with focus on examining the ultra structure of large, unsectioned volumes of the brain using expansion and light sheet microscopy (ExLSM), and viral vector targeting strategies. Keywords: behavioral neuroscience, vocal learning, connectomics, multi-omics, structural and functional neuro-imaging, expansion light sheet microscopy, photometry, viral vector targeting, neuro-genetic sensors and effectors Topic: Neural Basis of Behavior, Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience Publications: Google Scholar Website: https://www.ini.uzh.ch
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PD Dr. med. Dr. med. dent. Dominik Ettlin Research Focus: Our clinical focus is the biopsychosocial evaluation and management of patients suffering from athrogenic, myogenic and neurogenic trigeminal pain disorders. The interdisciplinary team includes dentists, physicians, psychologists and neuroscientists. We aim at better understanding peripheral and central pathomechanisms underlying these disorders, utilizing primarily functional magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy (fMRI and fMRS). We developed several MR-compatible setups for reliable stimulation of extra and intraoral structures. We are also interested in behavioral aspects of pain. By collecting multicenter clinical data, we analyze potential pain etiologies and modifying factors. Keywords: trigeminal sensory system, nociception, (orofacial) pain, brainstem and cortical pain fMRI, fMRS, questionnaires, clinical pain trials Topics: Sensory Systems, Neural Basis of Behavior, Disorders of the Nervous Systems, Biomedical Technology and Imaging, cognitive neuroscience Publications: PubMed Website: http://www.zzm.uzh.ch
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Prof. Dr. Benjamin F. Grewe Research Focus: My primary research focus is directed towards understanding the basis of information processing and memory formation in neuronal networks using experimental as well as computational approaches. Currently my research at the INI investigates basic concepts of information processing and memory formation in limbic neuronal networks, using miniaturized cutting-edge imaging techniques to record learning induced changes in neuronal network activity of mice. Aligning with the combined strengths of the INI and in collaboration biomedical and electrical engineering groups my long-term vision is to extract fundamental principles of network-learning from real biological networks and then to reverse engineer their functionality as logical, reproducible algorithms that be implemented in software or directly as electrical circuits. I am convinced that reverse-engineering neural learning algorithms that mimic human thinking will one day change the importance of intelligent technologies in our everyday life Keywords: systems and computational neuroscience, population coding, neuronal network learning, deep learning, spiking network simulations, calcium imaging, two photon microscopy, miniaturized microscope, freely moving, behavior Topic: neural basis of behavior, computation and modeling, sensory systems Projects: https://www.ini.uzh.ch/research/61357 Publications: PubMed Website: https://www.ini.uzh.ch |
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Prof. Dr. Richard Hahnloser Research Focus: We research sensorimotor and observational learning, birdsong development, neural coding in auditory and motor brain areas, ultrastructure of synaptic networks. We make use mainly of computational modeling, behavioral methods, electrophysiology, and light- and electron microscopy. Keywords: imitation behavior, learning Topics: Computation and Modeling, Neural Basis of Behavior, Motor Systems Publications: https://www.ini.uzh.ch/publications Website: https://www.ini.uzh.ch/people/rich
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Prof. Dr. Fritjof Helmchen Research Focus: Acting in the world means using the power of the neural circuits in your brain. But how do these complex circuits, comprising diverse neuronal and glial cell types interconnected in a highly complicated fashion, actually operate? How do they process sensory stimuli, integrate sensory information with relevant context and past experiences, and how do they produce motor control signals for adequate behavior? Newest technical developments, especially optical methods and genetic tools to record from and manipulate identified neural circuit components, down to individual neurons, now make it possible to tackle these fundamental questions. We develop and apply 2-photon microscopy and fiber-optic tools to gain understanding of the principles of signal flow in local neural circuits as well as the larger networks of brain regions. In ongoing projects we apply these methods in behaving mice to reveal neural dynamics underlying various behaviors. Keywords: Neural networks, in vivo physiology, optical imaging, electrophysiology, goal-directed behavior Topic: Neural Basis of Behavior Publications: http://www.hifo.uzh.ch Website: http://www.hifo.uzh.ch |
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Prof. Dr. Theofanis Karayannis Research Focus: The brain begins to form during embryogenesis, but undergoes a protracted period of development that lasts into adulthood. Our work is aimed at understanding how the environment moulds the construction and reconfiguration of neuronal circuits to allow them to effectively process and respond to external stimuli throughout development. The goal is to unravel how the interplay between electrical activity and genetic programs controls the assembly and plasticity of cortical circuits that are involved in processing and gating sensory information. To achieve this, we utilize a multi-dimensional approach that includes molecular, genetic and functional methods. It is our hope that this research will not only provide insights into the making of the healthy brain, but also into neurodevelopmental brain pathologies resulting from aberrant circuit wiring. Topics: Development and Regeneration, Sensory Systems, Disorders of the Nervous System, Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, Neural Basis of Behavior Website: http://www.hifo.uzh.ch |
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Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich Research Focus: Our team strives to understand how long-range neural circuits wire and rewire throughout the lifespan, how they contribute to behavioral function, and how we can harness new, circuit-related findings to develop pharmacotherapies to treat brain disorders. Our work focuses on the basal ganglia and their inputs and outputs (including monoamines, like dopamine), with a special interest for neural systems critical for body homeostasis, e.g. brain circuits for reward and energy seeking (motivation, feeding, addiction) and for energy output (locomotion, motor function, exercise). Through this work, we hope to contribute a deeper understanding of the postnatal ontogeny and adult plasticity of basal ganglia circuits. We also aim at developing and screening targeted therapeutic approaches to treat basal ganglia and dopamine related brain disorders. This includes illnesses such as mood disorders, eating disorders, addiction, obesity or Parkinson’s disease. Keywords: wiring, experience, neural circuits, basal ganglia, behavior, optical tools, in vivo fluorescent imaging, biosensors, pharmacotherapy, neuropharmacology, transgenic models. Topics: Neural Basis of Behavior, Development and Regeneration Publications: Google Scholar Websites: https://labouesse.wixsite.com
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Prof. Dr. sc. nat. Hans Peter Landolt Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zürich Research Focus: Sleep enables the brain to optimize higher cognitive functions such as learning and memory. My group focuses on the pre-clinical human neuropsychopharmacogenetics of CNS stimulants and hypnotics, and the neurochemical underpinnings of wakefulness and sleep. Along a molecule-to-human-to-medicine continuum, it aims at elucidating basic genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying sleep-related brain functions. Our research employs specific pharmacology, electro-encephalography, genotyping, brain imaging and neurocognitive testing to investigate the roles for neuromodulators, receptors and transporters in regulating sleep-associated waking functions. It is our vision that a basic understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms underlying the detrimental and beneficial (i.e., antidepressant) effects of sleep loss will be translated into novel therapies that will improve brain functioning, general well-being, quality of life, and public health. Keywords: Sleep-associated attentional, affective, and cognitive processes; individual vulnerability to sleep deprivation; disease- and age-related changes in sleep-associated brain functions Topic: Sleep and Sleep Disorders, Neural Basis of Behavior Publications: PubMed Website: https://www.pharma.uzh.ch
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Prof. Dr. Nicolas Langer Research Focus: Our lab develops and obtains new neurophysiological and neuroimaging measures in the context of human brain and behavioral plasticity. Specifically, we investigate the potential for plasticity, mechanisms for stabilization and compensation across the lifespan. In particular, we investigate the relationship between brain plasticity and cognitive functioning, such as perceptual processing, learning, (working-) memory, decision-making and processing speed. Topics: Cognitive Neuroscience, Computation and Modeling, Neural Basis of Behavior, Development and Regeneration Publications: PubMed Google Scholar Website: http://www.psychologie.uzh.ch
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Prof. Dr. Thomas A. Lutz Research Focus: The two main research areas are the control of food intake, including the pathophysiology of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Keywords: Amylin, Leptin, Cytokines, Hypothalamus, Bariatric surgery, Type 2 diabetes mellitus Topic: Neural Basis of Behavior Website: http://www.vetphys.uzh.ch
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Prof. Dr. Isabelle Mansuy Research Focus: The laboratory is interested in the epigenetic basis of complex brain functions and their inheritance. With a focus on childhood trauma, we are studying the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the influence of life experiences on mental and physical health across generations. We developed a transgenerational mouse model of postnatal trauma, and are investigating epigenetic processes at the level of DNA, RNA and protein in whole tissues and individual cells including brain and germ cells. DNA methylation, small and long non-coding RNA, chromatin structure and accessibility and their causal relevance for the expression and the transmission of trauma symptoms are examined. The major goal is to clarify the functional interplay between the genome and epigenome in the inheritance of environmentally-induced phenotypes. We also conduct translational studies on blood, saliva and sperm of human subjects exposed to childhood trauma in collaboration with clinicians and psychiatrists to validate findings in mice, and explore the potential for diagnostic and therapeutic strategies based on epigenetic factors. Keywords: Epigenetics inheritance, childhood trauma, mouse model, brain, germ cells, multi-omics, RNA-seq, bisulfite pyrosequencing, ATAC-seq, ChIP-seq, CRISPR-dCas9, 3D cellular models, behavior, bioinformatics, psychiatry. Topic: Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, Disorders of the Nervous System, Neural Basis of Behavior Publications: PubMed Website: https://www.hifo.uzh.ch
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Prof. Dr. Urs Meyer Research Focus: Our main research interest is centered upon the question of how early-life environmental adversities such as prenatal infection, pubertal stress, and nutritional imbalances can influence brain development and shape the risk of long-term brain abnormalities. Our work combines behavioral and cognitive tests, immunological assays and neuroanatomical techniques in rodent models, including models of gene-environment and environment-environment interactions relevant to multifactorial neurodevelopmental disorders such as schizophrenia and autism. Our research also includes molecular investigations to examine the role of epigenetic processes in environmentally induced brain pathologies and uses pharmacological approaches with the aim to establish novel symptomatic and preventive treatments against chronic brain disorders with neurodevelopmental origins.
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Dr. Tina Notter Research Focus: The main research focus of our group is to define the role of astrocytes in postnatal synaptic refinement of the prefrontal cortex (PFC). One distinctive feature of the PFC is its protracted adolescent maturation, which is necessary for acquiring mature cognitive abilities in adulthood. One of our primary aims is to determine the role of astrocytes in the structural and functional maturation of the PFC. Long thought to act merely as a structural support of neurons, astrocytes are now known to actively integrate, process and contribute to neuronal signaling. They are essential for early brain development regulating synaptogenesis and assuring correct wiring of the brain. More recently, astrocytes have been shown to actively participate in the rewiring of neuronal connections during brain maturation, a process involving the elimination of superfluous synapses, whereby neuronal circuits are optimized. Using a multi-disciplinary approach including chemogenetics, in-vivo two-photon imaging, immunohistochemistry, and behavioral analyses in mouse models, we investigate whether astrocyte-dependent synaptic elimination is indispensable for the normal development of neuronal networks subserving adult cognitive functions. In addition, we thrive to unravel the functional and behavioral consequences of aberrant astrocyte activity in the matured PFC. We hereby focus on understanding how astrocytes actively integrate, process and contribute to PFC synaptic signaling and thereby modulate behavioral and cognitive functions with relevance to psychiatric disorders. Keywords: Astrocytes, medial prefrontal cortex, brain maturation, adolescence, synaptic refinement, cognition, behavior, psychiatric disorders Topics: Neural Basis of Behavior, Development and Regeneration, Molecular and Cellular Publications: PubMed
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Dr. Daria Peleg-Raibstein, Junior Group Leader Research Focus: Obesity has long been identified as a global epidemic with major health implications such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. Maternal overnutrition and maternal obesity are significant health issues in industrial countries and are known risk factors for the development of obesity and related disorders in the offspring. The wide accessibility of junk food in recent years is one of the major causes of obesity. An excess of nutrients during fetal life not only has immediate effects on the fetus but also has long term effects on adult health. Our interest is on how maternal overnutrition can affect the development and function of the central nervous system circuits that regulate reward-related behaviors and cognitive disabilities in the offspring. We are also interested in the impact of maternal overnutrition and lifelong obesity and related metabolic consequences in the offspring. Keywords: Obesity, addiction, maternal high-fat diet, development, cognitive functions, epigenetic, dopamine, translational research Topic: Neural Basis of Behavior Publications: PubMed Website: http://www.tnb.ethz.ch/
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Prof. Dr. phil. Monique Pfaltz Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Zurich Research Focus: Our research group specialises in peripheral physiology associated with emotion processing and the respective data collection and analysis methods. We are using ambulatory approaches as well as experimental laboratory research, including eye tracking analysis of video recordings to better understand emotion recognition, facial mimicry, emotion regulation, emotional reactivity and their biological foundations in clinical populations (e.g. borderline personality disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder) as well as the general population. A special focus lies on childhood and adult trauma related symptoms and their impact on emotional and social functioning. Keywords: peripheral physiology, emotion processing, posttraumatic stress, ambulatory assessment strategies Topics: Cognitive Neuroscience; Neural Basis of Behavior; Development and Regeneration Publications: PubMed |
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Prof. Dr. Rafael Polania Research Focus: Humans do not react to the environment in a reflexive manner, but can freely choose which action to perform in response to a given situation. The neural processes that enable such flexible decision making are fundamental components of human cognition and have attracted a lot of interest from researchers in many scientific disciplines such as neuroscience, psychology, economics, and medicine. The research agenda at the Decision Neuroscience Lab bridges these multiple disciplines across theoretical and empirical domains to establish important links between the computational, psychological and neural processes controlling human decision making, by providing both correlative and causal evidence that well-defined neural signals are indeed driving both computationally defined cognitive processes and the resulting behavior. This research thus has the potential to unite conceptually separate approaches to the study of distinct types of human behavior and thereby contribute information that is crucial for the diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric and neurological disorders involving decision-making pathologies (e.g. ADHD, obesity, addiction). Topics: Cognitive Neuroscience, Computation and Modeling, Neural Basis of Behavior Keywords: decision-making, EEG, fMRI, non-invasive brain stimulation, reward, perception, economics. Publications: Google Scholar
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Prof. Dr. Christopher Pryce Research Focus:Mouse models aimed at identifying the causal pathways via which chronic psychosocial stress can lead to excessive fear and deficient motivation. Stress-immune-glia-neuron dysfunction is a pathway of major interest, and amygdala a structure of major interest. Keywords: Stress, immune-inflammation, amygdala, oligodendrocyte, neuron, fear, motivation Topics: Neural Basis of Behavior, Disorders of the Nervous System Publications: PubMed Website: https://www.med.uzh.ch |
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Dr. Juliet Richetto Research Focus: Main research interests are centered upon the question of how early-life environmental adversities, such as prenatal infection or prenatal maternal isolation, can influence brain development and shape the risk of long-term brain abnormalities. Currently, we are investigating whether maternal social isolation, and concomitant pharmacological interventions, lead to genome-wide alterations in DNA methylation and gene expression in the offspring’s brain, which in turn may impact pathways and neuronal systems that underlie behavioral functioning. In addition, we are starting to explore how the microbiome may affect CNS functioning through epigenetic mechanisms. Our research is performed in mice models and combines behavioral neuroscience, neuroanatomical investigations, transcriptomics and epigenomics. |
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Prof. Dr. Michael Rufer Research Focus: One important focus is the emotion regulation and dysregulation in psychosomatic and psychiatric disorders. This includes the evaluation of different psychological constructs, such as alexithymia and dissociation, the development of assessment methods, and the investigation of neural correlates of emotion regulation. Further main research areas are multidisciplinary approaches on different aspects of the relationships between psychology and medicine, psychotherapeutic processes and outcomes, including neurobiological aspects, and technology-based psychological interventions (Internet-based and mobile interventions) for different disorders, such as anxiety and obsessive compulsive spectrum disorders. Keywords: Emotion regulation, alexithymia, dissociation, psychotherapy, psychosomatics, neurobiology, internet-based therapy Topics: Cognitive Neuroscience, Disorders of the Nervous System, Neural Basis of Behavior Publications: PubMed Website: https://www.pukzh.ch
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Dr. Dr. med. Milan Scheidegger Research Focus: Our goal is to investigate the therapeutic potential of psychedelic compounds to reverse maladaptive neurobehavioral patterns in stress-related mood disorders and to enhance psychotherapeutic learning capabilities. The suboptimal efficacy of currently available drugs in mental health care points towards an unmet clinical need to investigate novel approaches to combine pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy. Recently, psychedelics such as ketamine, psilocybin, ayahuasca and DMT were discovered to alleviate symptoms of depression, anxiety, and addictive behaviors in a rapid-acting manner. Based on the findings from our neuroscientific research, we are developing novel transformation-based therapies for the safe, rapid-acting and sustainable treatment of affective disorders. Keywords: Psychedelics, Ayahuasca & DMT, Rapid-acting Antidepressants, Stress-related Mood Disorders, Multimodal Neuroimaging, Biomarkers & Neuroplasticity, Psychological Flexibility, Mindfulness, Process-based Psychotherapy, Ecological Momentary Assessments Topics: Cognitive Neuroscience, Disorders of the Nervous System, Neural Basis of Behavior Publications: Publons Website: https://www.dppp.uzh.ch
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Prof. Dr. Philippe Tobler Keywords: Neuroeconomics, reward, punishment, salience, risk Topic: Cognitive Neuroscience, Neural Basis of Behavior Publications: PubMed Website: http://www.econ.uzh.ch |
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Prof. Dr. David P. Wolfer Research focus: We investigate the neural basis of cognitive function in the normal and diseased brain using mouse models. Behavioral studies are combined with histological visualization and quantification of neuronal activity, stereotactic lesions, neuropharmacology, and targeted mutations. We also study the influence of normal genetic variation, environment and life style on cognitive function and the underlying brain circuitry. We are developing new approaches to assess cognitive functions of mice more efficiently and reliably in a fully automated social home cage setting (IntelliCage). Keywords: behavioral neuroscience, cognitive neuroscience, high throughput behavioral phenotyping Topic: Neural Basis of behavior, Cognitive Neuroscience Publications: http://www.dpwolfer.ch
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Prof. Dr. Hanns Ulrich Zeilhofer Research Focus: The spinal dorsal horn serves a pivotal role as the first site of cellular and synaptic integration of somatosensory information. It plays a key role in diseases such as chronic pain and itch. Our group focuses on the organization and function of dorsal horn neuronal circuits and their plasticity in different pathologies. We use a variety of neuronal tracing techniques to analyse the integration of dorsal horn neurons into neuronal circuits in mice and combine virus-based and genetic tools to manipulate specific subpopulations of dorsal horn neurons in vivo. Behavioral test and in vivo 2-photon imaging and electrophysiology are used to study the function of neurons and circuits under physiological conditions and in chronic pain and itch states. Keywords: Spinal cord, interneurons, circuits, pain Topics: Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, Disorders of the Nervous Systems, Neural Basis of Behavior, Sensory Systems Publications: PubMed Website: http://www.pharma.uzh.ch/research/neuropharmacology.html
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Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich Research Focus: My research plan uses MRI-based connectomic mapping in animal models, in combination with neuromodulation methods and behavioral tests to study the neural mechanisms underpinning reward and motivation. Specific and well-defined brain circuits are targeted using Designer Receptors Exclusively Activated by Designer Drugs (DREADDs) or Optogenetics tools during simultaneous functional imaging acquisition in the MRI scanner. This unique methodological set-up gives us the opportunity to test mechanistic hypotheses about the elusive origin and significance of connectional aberrations observed in autism. One of the key advantages of the neuroimaging methods that I employ is that they can be applied to both mouse, non-human primates and human data, opening up the possibility that the findings and discoveries made in the proposed experiments could eventually lead to investigations in human patients. Keywords: Mouse brain imaging, connectivity, resting-state fMRI, diffusion MRI, connectomics, neuromodulation, DREADDs, Optogenetics. Topic: Biomedical Technology and Imaging, Neural Basis of Behavior, Disorders of the Nervous System Publications: PubMed Google Scholar |
