Research Focus: Neural mechanisms for persistent behaviors.

Neuromodulatory control of circuit-wide neuronal dynamics

What circuit-wide patterns of neural activity define distinct behavioral states?

We aim to understand how neuromodulators, like serotonin, coordinate neural activity throughout circuits to generate stable behavioral states.

Techniques employed include:

• Circuit-wide calcium imaging in freely-moving animals,
• Optogenetics,
• Mutant analysis,
• Quantitative behavioral analysis.