Research
Anxiety disorders are highly prevalent and despite substantial research novel therapeutics are still required. Neuropeptides represent potential candidates, such as neuropeptide S and oxytocin, which exert strong anxiolytic and fear-attenuating effects in rodents. To date little is known about the complex intracellular signaling pathways, interactions with other neuropeptide systems, and their functional projections to limbic brain areas that are responsible for the physiological and behavioral effects of these neuropeptides.
To extend our understanding of the molecular, cellular and interneuronal signaling mechanisms underlying the effects of a subsequent neuropeptide S receptor or oxytocin receptor stimulation, I use the following techniques: stereotaxic gene delivery, neuronal tracing, chemogenetics, optogenetics, intracerebral microdialysis, assessment of anxiety-related behavior, social fear conditioning, RNA and protein chemistry, and microscopy.