Our interest centers upon the development of new non-invasive neuromodulation techniques and the mechanisms of synaptic dysfunction in neuropsychiatric disorders. Despite the development and use of various neuromodulation techniques, the invention of non-invasive neuromodulation techniques that can selectively stimulate only certain circuits or cells in the brain has yet to be established. Compared to optogenetics, TMS and tDCS, cellular and molecular mechanisms of the ultrasound neuromodulation are poorly understood, but its importance is now emerging. Our new strategy using ultrasonic frequency modulation and sonogenetics can readily be applied to treatment and modulation for brain dysfunction associated with too much or too little neural plasticity. Another research topic is the physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying dysfunctional sensorimotor gating, which focuses on the role of GABAergic interneuron (IN) in E/I balance.
Indeed, GABAergic-IN dysfunction has been implicated in the etiology of various psychiatric disorders such as depression, autism, and schizophrenia. This suggests that modulation of inhibitory GABAergic circuits can have a reflective effect on the synaptic connection of neural network. This research will provide benefits, especially considering further translation into therapeutic drug discovery to treat impaired sensorimotor gating and cognition.
Neural plasticity, Learning & memory, Non-invasive neuromodulation technique development, Synaptic plasticity, Acoustic neuromodulation