The Canetta Laboratory

The Canetta Laboratory investigates the neural circuitry of cognitive and affective behaviors, with a particular focus on how experiences encountered during ‘sensitive periods’ shape the development of this circuitry and impact behavior all the way into adulthood.  To do this, we use a multi-disciplinary investigative strategy in mice including in vivo recordings of activity during behavior, opto- and pharmacogenetic manipulations of circuit activity and measurements of synaptic function and anatomy using in vitro slice electrophysiology and histology.  Through this approach we hope to gain insight into the typical developmental trajectory of brain circuits supporting cognitive and affective behaviors, as well as the etiology of cognitive and affective symptoms associated with disorders like schizophrenia, anxiety, depression and substance abuse.