Mechanisms of Neural Function & Dysfunction

Neurodegenerative diseases have devastating consequences for the patients and their families and represent a major health burden to the economy, especially as baby-boomers age. While there have been modest advances in diagnostics, there are few effective treatments for the wide range of disorders that strike young adults and the elderly (e.g., Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, Amyotropic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Huntington’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis) as well as neurodegenerative pathologies and dementia associated with traumatic brain injury, alcoholism, and chronic drug use. A key theme of this research theme is recognizing and embracing the importance of basic neurobiology, behavior, and cognition in the study of neurodegenerative diseases.

A nationally recognized group of faculty has formed a Center for Neuroendocrine Studies which emphasizes interdisciplinary and collaborative studies on the interactions between hormones, brain function, and behavior.

Disorders of the nervous system manifest in the form of neurodegenerative disease (e.g., Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s diseases), psychiatric disorders (e.g., drug addiction and alcoholism, schizophrenia, depression, and ADHD) and pervasive developmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder. The common fundamental element linking all of these nervous system disorders is that they are all characterized by disturbances in behavioral function, encompassing domains including cognition, motor control, and affect.