Department of Neuroscience
Mentor: Ganesh Vasan, Ph.D., Department of Neuroscience
Project: Noradrenergic modulation of the voltage dynamics of primary visual cortical VIP+ interneurons in arousal
Sonia's research focuses on the noradrenergic modulation of cortical circuits in arousal—a physiological state of increased alertness and readiness to respond to external stimuli. Arousal is disrupted in neuropsychiatric conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, and depression. Using high-speed targeted voltage imaging with single-neuron, single-spike resolution, combined with optogenetic and pharmacological manipulations in awake mice, her aim is to determine how noradrenaline, a key neuromodulator released from the brainstem locus coeruleus, alters the dynamics of vasoactive intestinal peptide-expressing (VIP+) interneurons in the visual cortex during state transitions from rest to arousal. By uncovering the cellular and circuit-level mechanisms linking arousal to cortical function, her research lays the groundwork for developing targeted, circuit-specific interventions that move beyond traditional broad-spectrum treatments.
