1. Structural plasticity of inhibitory networks in the adult brain, implication in psychiatric disorders.

Role of adhesion molecules and extracellular matrix in neuritic and synaptic remodeling of interneurons. Study of the implication of this plasticity in psychiatric disorders through the study of animal models and postmortem material from patients. We also develop a line focused on exploring the impact of aversive experiences during adolescence on this plasticity and the appearance of mental illnesses.

2. Neurobiology of immature neurons, but not generated in adult life, of layer II of the cerebral cortex.

Study of the fate and function of the population of immature neurons residing in layer II of the cerebral cortex. Comparative analysis between different mammalian species

3. Cytoarchitectony of the dentate gyrus and hippocampus: implications in epilepsy.

Study of the connectivity of excitatory and inhibitory cell populations. Control of the activity of the dentate gyrus by the subcortical innervations of the septum and supramamillary nuclei. Implications of these mechanisms in the generation of temporal lobe epileptic seizures.

4. Study of the neural circuits of the olfactory bulb in normal and pathological conditions.

The line of research is centered on the analysis of the synaptic and extrasynaptic connectivity of the neural circuits that make up the olfactory bulb. We study both the local circuits, made up of the different populations of interneurons of the olfactory bulb, and the subcortical modulation circuits that project the olfactory bulb from other brain areas. It is also intended to study how the organization and connectivity of all these circuits is affected in pathological processes such as Parkinson's disease.

5. Alterations in the brain of Ts65Dn mice, model of Down syndrome.

Our group studies the alterations at the synaptic and cellular level in the murine model of Down Syndrome Ts65Dn. Once these alterations are characterized, pharmacological treatments that can reverse the effects of trisomy on the development, connectivity and functionality of the central nervous system are tested.