Our laboratory at UCLA is studying learning, memory and its disorders, including cognitive deficits associated with aging, learning disabilities and schizophrenia.   Our field of study is Molecular and Cellular Cognition. The goal of this field is to derive explanations of cognitive processes that integrate molecular, cellular, and behavioral mechanisms and to find treatments for cognitive disorders.

Highlights We are searching for molecular, cellular and circuit processes that underlie the encoding, allocation, storage and recall of information in the brain. Additionally, we hope our studies of the mechanisms underlying extraordinary cognitive function may lead to general treatments for cognitive disorders. We are using insights into mechanisms of memory to unravel the causes and develop treatments for cognitive deficits associated with aging, learning disabilities and schizophrenia.  Recently, we have shown that it is possible to reverse neurodevelopmental disorders, such as learning disabilities associated with TSC and NF1, in adults. Key components of our work on remote memory are carried out within a collaborative network, the NIMH Silvio O. Conte Center for Plasticity and Memory (CPM). Together with the labs of Michael Stryker, Kevin Fox and Joshua Trachtenberg, we are unraveling the molecular basis of cortical plasticity

New papers and more: 1- January 26th Symposium at UCLA on Mechanisms of Information Storage in Cortical Networks! (check it out!) 2- New Cell paper on the role of NF1/Ras signaling on GABA release and learning (PDF) 3- New Neuron review on Calmodulin kinase II (PDF) 4- New Nature Medicine paper on the mechanism and treatment for cognitive deficits in TSC (PDF) 5- New JAMA paper with a promising treatment for NF1  (PDF) 6- New JP paper on the science of research (PDF)

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