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Neuroscience

Neuroscience is a discipline encompassing all aspects of behavior, cognition and perception at the molecular and cellular levels as well as in the whole organism.

As a growing and highly collaborative department we are committed to carrying out cutting-edge interdisciplinary research employing a wide range of state-of-the-art techniques. Over the last few years, our work has yielded major breakthroughs. The achievements are in large part because of the contributions of exceptional trainees — graduate students and post-doctoral fellows — and we welcome other motivated trainees to join us.

Highlights

Andrea Merchak and Alban Gaultier

Scientists Uncover How Fermented-Food Bacteria Can Guard Against Depression, Anxiety

Congratulations to recent alum Andrea Merchak and the Gaultier Lab for publishing their findings on how Lactobacillus, a bacterium found in fermented foods and yogurt, helps the body manage stress and may help prevent depression and anxiety!

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Heather Ferris and Thaddeus Weigel

Alzheimer’s Discovery Suggests Light Sensitivity May Worsen Symptoms Late in the Day and Contribute to Disease Progression

Congratulations to Thaddeus Weigel and the Ferris Lab for publishing their recent findings related to light sensitivity and Alzheimer's!

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Hannah Ennerfelt and John Lukens

Discovery Holds Key to Boosting Brain’s Ability to Fight Alzheimer’s, MS

Congratulations to Hannah Ennerfelt and the Lukens Lab for publishing their work related to Alzheimer's disease and multiple sclerosis!

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In the News All News »

Zhongxiao Fu and Alex Kuan Publish a Paper in Nature Communications

Congratulations to Zhongxiao Fu, Alex Kuan, and the Kuan Lab for publishing their recent findings on how Microglia modulate cerebrovascular reactivity through ectonucleotidase CD39 in Nature Communications. This work shows…

Lulu Jiang Awarded $3.6 Million to Investigate RNA Modifications in Alzheimer’s Disease

December 2024 - Congrats to Lulu Jiang, who was awarded a $3.6 million R01 grant from the National Institute on Aging for her project titled “Epitranscriptomic Mechanism in the Pathogenesis…

Heather Ferris Featured in Medicine in Motion

October 2024 - Heather Ferris, MD, PhD, examines how brain metabolism affects risk for developing dementia. Visit this link to learn more about her lab's work!

John Lukens receives 2024 Early Achievement Award in Biomedical Sciences

September 2024 - Congrats to John Lukens, PhD, who was honored by the UVA Medical Alumni Association as the recipient of its 2024 Early Achievement Award in Biomedical Sciences! Visit…

Tajie Harris, PhD, Awarded $2.6 Million to Study How the Immune System Benefits the Brain

Congrats to Tajie Harris, who was awarded a five-year $2.6 million grant from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, titled “Caspase-8 mediated control of CNS infection.” Visit this…

Scott Zeitlin, PhD, Advances Understanding and Treatment of Huntington’s Disease

With visionary support from the Pelican Fund, Zeitlin and his team are uncovering the secrets of Huntington’s disease (HD) and identifying new targets for combating this debilitating, fatal brain disorder.…
 

Disorders

We study multiple human neurological disorders from cellular and molecular to translational through animal models of disease.

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Support Our Mission

Every neuroscience researcher is dedicated to better results for patients. Your donation, whatever its size, can help ensure we are able to offer the best care based on medical research.