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Not everyone with a genetic predisposition develops psychiatric disorders. The same is true for stress. Not everyone who experiences stress develops mental disorders. We all know how complicated it is to study the brain, as it is an open, complex, and dynamic system. Because it is dynamic, variations during brain development can alter its structure and function at later ages. In other words, modifications during the development of the embryonic brain, or shortly after birth, can alter the individual's brain as an adult and, consequently, their behavior. Therefore, our goal is to identify some of the factors involved in brain development and investigate the consequences for the brain when these factors do not function correctly. Lately, we have been focused on understanding the role of dopaminergic signaling and stress in brain development. Currently, we can divide our research into three major projects:
The role of dopamine in early brain development.
Dopamine and its receptors are expressed early during neurodevelopment. In humans, they are produced even during gestation. Since alterations in dopamine signaling are found in several neurodevelopmental disorders, we investigated whether a dopaminergic imbalance during the migration and differentiation phase of neurons affects the development of neural circuits. Therefore, we used zebrafish as an experimental model, investigating the consequences on brain morphology, biochemistry, and behavior.
Intracellular pathways regulated by dopamine
(Souza BR & Tropepe V, Rev Neurosc, 2011)
The role of dopamine in development
postnatal brain
The objective of the above project is to understand the role of dopamine in early brain development, specifically during the window of neuronal migration and differentiation. In this project, our interest lies in investigating the role of dopamine in the formation of connections between neurons, primarily researching the formation of neuronal projections and synapses shortly after birth. Specifically, we investigate the consequences for the morphology, biochemistry, and behavior of mice, paying particular attention to the differences between males and females.
GABAergic neurons in the developing zebrafish brain.
(Souza BR et al, Journal Neuroscience, 2011)
Interaction between dopamine imbalance and stress
We know that patients with various neuropsychiatric disorders exhibit alterations in dopaminergic signaling in their brains. It is also well known how stress induces the development of mental disorders. In this project, we investigated the interaction between dopaminergic imbalance and stress in brain development. Thus, we investigated the consequences on brain morphology and biochemistry, as well as behavior, also paying attention to the differences between males and females.
Motor behavior of zebrafish larvae.
(Souza BR et al, Journal Neuroscience, 2011)