Research Interests
Cortical Mechanisms of Perceptual, Cognitive & Social Development
The goal of our research is to identify the cortical mechanisms of developmental critical periods to establish (1) perception, (2) cognition, and (3) social behavior relevant to psychiatric disorders with neurodevelopmental origins. We take an integrated approach, combining molecular, anatomical, imaging, electrophysiological, and behavior methodologies using mouse models. We are an active member of Center for Neurotechnology and Behavior and Center for Affective Neuroscience at Mount Sinai.
Experience-dependent Perceptual Development
Experience-dependent cortical plasticity is heightened during developmental critical periods but declines into adulthood, posing a major challenge to recovery of function following injury or disease later in life. Our research aims to identify the mechanisms of experience-dependent cortical plasticity. Using visual system, a premier model of critical period, our previous study revealed key molecular (nicotinic signaling) and circuit (somatostatin interneurons) mechanisms to reactivate juvenile plasticity in adulthood (Science 2010, J Neurosci 2015, J Neurosci 2016, eNeuro 2017, Scientific Reports 2018, J Neurosci 2020). Our current research focuses on determining how self-motion (e.g. locomotion) modulates cortical processing and plasticity at molecular and circuit level. Our study would have direct implications for Amblyopia, a condition with limited adult-applicable treatment affecting 2–5% of the human population, but also for brain injury repair, sensory recovery, and the treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders. Supported by National Eye Institute R01.
Experience-dependent cortical plasticity is heightened during developmental critical periods but declines into adulthood, posing a major challenge to recovery of function following injury or disease later in life. Our research aims to identify the mechanisms of experience-dependent cortical plasticity. Using visual system, a premier model of critical period, our previous study revealed key molecular (nicotinic signaling) and circuit (somatostatin interneurons) mechanisms to reactivate juvenile plasticity in adulthood (Science 2010, J Neurosci 2015, J Neurosci 2016, eNeuro 2017, Scientific Reports 2018, J Neurosci 2020). Our current research focuses on determining how self-motion (e.g. locomotion) modulates cortical processing and plasticity at molecular and circuit level. Our study would have direct implications for Amblyopia, a condition with limited adult-applicable treatment affecting 2–5% of the human population, but also for brain injury repair, sensory recovery, and the treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders. Supported by National Eye Institute R01.
Maturation of Prefrontal Cognitive Control Circuit
Another major goal of our research is to examine the mechanisms of prefrontal cortex maturation to establish proper cognitive control. We combine in vivo circuit-specific manipulation/monitoring of neural activity and gene expression in behaving mice using a translationally-relevant touchscreen behavioral testing. Our recent study identified top-down frontal-sensory projections as key circuit for cognitive control by linking self-error monitoring and attention adjustment (Neuron 2021). We further demonstrated that this key cognitive control circuit undergoes activity-dependent integration of local inputs during adolescence sensitive period (Nature Communications 2020), followed by nicotinic signaling-dependent shift in local and long-range input balance to establish proper attentional behavior in adulthood (Science Advances 2021). Our current studies focus on revealing the developmental and circuit mechanisms of error monitoring and adjustment, an essential building block for self-awareness and metacognition. Identified circuit-associated mechanisms would promote translation of our basic research findings to clinical research to improve diagnosis, prevention and treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders. Currently supported by NIMH R01.
Another major goal of our research is to examine the mechanisms of prefrontal cortex maturation to establish proper cognitive control. We combine in vivo circuit-specific manipulation/monitoring of neural activity and gene expression in behaving mice using a translationally-relevant touchscreen behavioral testing. Our recent study identified top-down frontal-sensory projections as key circuit for cognitive control by linking self-error monitoring and attention adjustment (Neuron 2021). We further demonstrated that this key cognitive control circuit undergoes activity-dependent integration of local inputs during adolescence sensitive period (Nature Communications 2020), followed by nicotinic signaling-dependent shift in local and long-range input balance to establish proper attentional behavior in adulthood (Science Advances 2021). Our current studies focus on revealing the developmental and circuit mechanisms of error monitoring and adjustment, an essential building block for self-awareness and metacognition. Identified circuit-associated mechanisms would promote translation of our basic research findings to clinical research to improve diagnosis, prevention and treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders. Currently supported by NIMH R01.
Experience-dependent Maturation of Prefrontal Social Circuit and Behavior
Studies in humans and animals demonstrate that the prefrontal cortex is important for regulating social cognition (see our recent review Front Psychology 2015). The goal of this line of research is to identify molecular and circuit mechanisms in prefrontal cortex regulating juvenile critical period for experience-dependent development of social behavior. By combining intersectional approaches of behavior, cell-type-specific manipulation of neural activity and gene expression, our recent studies identified the role of specific excitatory and inhibitory cell-types in social behavior development (Nature Neuroscience 2020, Nature Communications 2020). Our current research aims to uncover how early social experience shapes the boundary of self and others to establish proper social behaviors at molecular, circuit, and computational level. Identification of a critical period and underlying mechanisms for social circuits and behavior would eventually improve diagnosis, prevention and treatment of psychiatric disorders. Currently supported by NIMH R01, and Simons Foundation.
Studies in humans and animals demonstrate that the prefrontal cortex is important for regulating social cognition (see our recent review Front Psychology 2015). The goal of this line of research is to identify molecular and circuit mechanisms in prefrontal cortex regulating juvenile critical period for experience-dependent development of social behavior. By combining intersectional approaches of behavior, cell-type-specific manipulation of neural activity and gene expression, our recent studies identified the role of specific excitatory and inhibitory cell-types in social behavior development (Nature Neuroscience 2020, Nature Communications 2020). Our current research aims to uncover how early social experience shapes the boundary of self and others to establish proper social behaviors at molecular, circuit, and computational level. Identification of a critical period and underlying mechanisms for social circuits and behavior would eventually improve diagnosis, prevention and treatment of psychiatric disorders. Currently supported by NIMH R01, and Simons Foundation.
