Brain disorders and mental illness represent a tremendous social and economic burden, with few effective treatments. The goal of Dr. Rothwell's research is to identify the causes of brain conditions, and develop interventions to restore healthy function using synaptic plasticity and neuromodulation. He studies the striatum, and important brain region for both simple and complex movements and cognitive functions. His lab examines the function of neural circuits formed by striatal synapses that connect specific sources and targets. They use a multidisciplinary approach which includes quantitative analysis of gene expression; genetic and molecular manipulations of neural circuits; measurement of synaptic function and plasticity using electrophysiology; and optogenetic stimulation of circuits in brain slices and behaving animals. Our current research focuses on autism spectrum disorders and drug addiction - two brain conditions that affect overlapping elements of striatal circuitry.
