Research

NeuroPain  ι  Nociception and Pain

NeuroTime  ι  Time in perception and action

NeuroDegen  ι Neurodegenerative and neurogenetic diseases

Epigenetics in the nervous system

One of the main goals of NeuroStra is to understand how the environment, in a broad sense, influences CNS function and dysfunction. In this regard, NeuroStra's three axes rely on epigenetic approaches to elucidate the effect of a stimulus, disease state, or potential treatment (e.g., long-term synchronization, learning, chronic pain, neurodegenerative diseases, psychiatric disorders, therapies, addiction) at the genome-wide level.

Mapping the brain connectome

Neural connectivity underpins brain function, and the concept that brain circuits are dynamically shaped by experience, pathology and genetics has become one of the central dogmas of neuroscience. Cognition, emotion and behaviour in health and disease are increasingly viewed in terms of the functioning of neural circuits. In this context, a common goal of NeuroStra's research lines is the fine-grained exploration of the characteristics of the brain connectome - at multiple temporal and spatial scales -, thereby deciphering network signatures relevant to the neurodevelopmental, pathological or neuroadaptive processes investigated in our studies. Our approaches range from synaptic and cellular imaging (via molecular, genetic, electrophysiological and multiphoton microscopy approaches in the preclinical domain) to structural and functional mapping of the brain connectome using non-invasive MRI in animal models and in patients (e.g. pain, neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders). These critically important strategies allow us to perform longitudinal studies during disease development or progression, to follow patterns of disease propagation at the network level and to identify vulnerable or resilient pathways. This will also allow us to develop and test therapeutic schemes, decipher their pattern at the circuit level and move from the pre-clinical to the clinical stage.

New neuropsychological markers

Many neuropathologies lack early biomarkers to predict disease progression and to implement prevention strategies. An innovative and interdisciplinary approach will make it possible to bring together expertise in neuroscience with that of the human sciences (economics, language, music) in order to develop new diagnostic tools.

Molecule screening

Another objective of NeuroStra is to identify new molecules that modulate neuronal functions or restore them in case of dysfunction. This aspect is essential because it not only advances our fundamental knowledge of neuronal mechanisms (e.g. pain, drug abuse, neurodegenerative disorders, psychiatric disorders, neurobiological rhythms, etc.), but also opens up new avenues for therapeutic intervention.