Inflammation and depressed mood: mechanisms and circuits

We investigate how inflammation influences brain circuits that control mood and affective state.

Using mouse genetics, including opto- and chemogenetics, we test the hypothesis that microglial activation and melanocortin signaling are key players in the link between inflammation and disrupted mood and cognition. We also study how inflammation is modulated, or even transmitted, by social contact.

Since there is an inflammatory component in most major diseases our findings may have broad relevance.