Summary

The Dierssen’s lab is interested in understanding cognition and behaviour as emergent properties of the neuronal networks and how genetic perturbation in mental disorders modify the way the brain integrates information to produce behaviour. The goal is to understanding how the neuronal architecture and connectivity constrain the mesoscopic network activity and influences the flow and storage of information in neuronal circuits. We have collected data on the mechanisms of information transfer in brain circuits from the single cell and molecular scale to the neuronal population level. We characterize the dynamics of multiple variables, which interact in a highly non-linear manner, as revealed by the richness of the collective behaviour of coupled neurons. The analysis of in silico neural networks captures the complex behaviour of these high-dimensional systems. Alterations in the architectural properties of the neurons are observed in most mental disorders and are assumed to be the cause of the cognitive disturbances. We focus mainly on intellectual disability and neuropsychiatric disorders, using a systems neuroscience approach that combines behavioural, neurobiological and computational analyses in mice. This systematic and wide-angled approach with different levels of description, has led us to build an integrated view of how the phenomic profiles correlate with cellular and molecular alterations in the neurons of these mouse models. The value of our studies lies also in its translational angle. Based on our understanding of the genetic and molecular circuits disturbed in intellectual disability we have performed clinical trial in Down syndrome and fragile X syndrome.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies in Down syndrome
Figure 1

Research projects

  • Brain operation in intellectual disability and neurological disorders
  1. Neuronal network architecture and learning plasticity
    María Martínez de Lagrán – postdoctoral researcher (experimental)
    Silvina Catuara – PhD student (experimental)
    Marcos Quevedo – PhD student (experimental)
  2. Computational modelling of dynamical brain states
    German Patterson – postdoctoral researcher (computational)
    Linus Manubens – PhD student (computational/experimental)Jordi Sala – Technician (experimental)
  3. Molecular constrains/biomarkers
    Laura Xicota – PhD student (experimental)
    Mireia Ortega– PhD student (experimental)
  • Roadmap of obesity (Marta Fructuoso – PhD student (experimental))
  • Computational tools for longitudinal phenotype recordings (Jose Antonio Espinosa – PhD student (computational))