Research

Neuromodulators, such as dopamine and serotonin, have a profound influence on neural circuits and behavior.

At any moment, neurons are exposed to multiple neuromodulators, yet we understand little about the role of this simultaneous neuromodulation for the function of neural circuits, in health and disease.

In our team, we study how the neuromodulatory landscape changes across behavioral states and how the combined neuromodulation changes the computational properties of neural circuits and the brain dynamics.

Breathing, a fundamental aspect of our existence, goes beyond its physiological function. We now know that it influences the firing of neurons in our brains, influencing our thought structure, emotions, and memories.

In our team, we study the mechanisms that underlie the intricate interplay between breathing rhythm and neuronal activity, and its effect on the information flow and computation of neuronal circuits. 

This understanding will provide crucial insights into the organization of neuronal circuits the fundamental processes that shape cognition.

Sleep plays a crucial role in the consolidation of memories, transforming fleeting experiences into lasting representations. We aim to understand the brain dynamics during sleep that facilitate the consolidation of emotional and episodic memories.

We investigate the intriguing nocturnal "dialogue" between the hippocampus and the neocortex and study the coordinated interplay between slow waves, spindles, and ripple oscillations, and the reactivation of memories.

We further investigate the role of neuromodulators in shaping sleep-related brain activity and try to understand how the dysfunction of these circuits might underlie the emotional and cognitive changes associated with mood disorders.