Neurodevelopmental disorders, such as schizophrenia, Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) and autism-spectrum disorders (ASD) in general, are thought to arise from both genetic and environmental factors. The symptoms of neurodevelopmental disorders are most commonly studied in adults as behavioral studies are extremely limited in postnatal mice. Whether dysfunctions found in neurodevelopmental disorders arise from early development impairments or subsequent compensations is unclear. The lab will study early wiring in genetic models of neurodevelopmental disorders for FXS and ASD with the long-term goal of re-inducing developmental plasticity and building hopes for tailored behavioral and genetic therapies.
