Investigating neuroplasticity and its applications for improving global health

We are investigating the mechanisms of neuroplasticity and their consequences for behavior during healthy ageing or after extremely stressful events, as well as how neuroplasticity is disrupted during ageing-related diseases. Our long-term goals are to understand how neuroplasticity works in the healthy brain and how this might be leveraged improve functional recovery and rehabilitation.

Specifically, we use mechanistic approaches to understand how different forms of neuroplasticity interact to facilitate functional changes after environmental stresses or during disease states. We complement these studies with population studies done in collaboration with the United Nations and NGOs to identify critical aspects for healthy brain plasticity. Our work has a particular focus on people living in low- or middle-income countries, as well as underserved groups in society, including older people and women.