Why does the world feel "too loud" for many on the autism spectrum? It often comes down to an inability to filter background noise, a process known as surround suppression. In this project, we dive deep into the visual cortex to understand how GABA(B) receptors modulate these sensory filters. We don't just look at the big picture; we dissect the cellular and circuit-level mechanisms that drive sensory hypersensitivity. To do this, we utilize voltage-imaging approaches that offer a level of temporal and spatial resolution far beyond traditional electrophysiology or calcium imaging. In other collaborative projects, we explore the interplay between noradrenergic and inhibitory signaling, in an effort to understand the neural basis of arousal and attention.
